Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of panoramic 200 scanning laser ophthalmoscope for retinal detachment. Method Images of ocular fundus of the patients with retinal detachment were obtained by panoramic 200 scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, which were compared with the results of binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy (BIO). The extent of the retinal detachment, the occurrence of retinal hole or not, and the proliferation were observed. Any discrepancies of the results of the two methods were then analyzed. Results In the images from 75 eyes of 71 patients with retinal detachments which were obtained by panoramic 200 scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, recurrent retinal detachments was found in 3 patients (3 eyes), single retinal detachment was in 13 patients (16 eyes) inc luding intercurrent retinal cyst in 1 patient (1 eye), intercurrent retinal hole was in 43 patients (43 eyes), and intercurrent pre-or sub-retinal proliferation was in 14 patients (15 eyes) (4 eyes having retinal hole simultaneously). The results of panoramic 200 scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and BIO were accordant in 53 patients (56 eyes) and inconsistent in 18 patients (19 eyes) due to the loss of peripheral small retinal holes by panoramic 200 scanning laser ophthalm oscopy. The results of the follow-up examination of 16 patients were accordant with the clinical records. Conclusion Panoramic 200 scanning laser ophthalmoscope has the advantages of non-mydriasis, speediness, and wide view field, and can save external records and provide high-resolution images; it is a valuable diagnosis method for retinal detachment. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 317-320)