Refractive changes after scleral buckling surgery
W. E. Smiddy, D. N. Loupe, R. G. Michels, C. Enger, B. M. Glaser and S. deBustros
Vitreoretinal Surgery Service, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.
Pneumatic retinopexy is increasingly recommended to treat some patients
with retinal detachment to avoid the complication of induced refractive
changes sometimes associated with scleral buckling procedures. Prospective
evaluation of refractive changes after scleral buckling procedures was
performed in 75 eyes of 69 patients. Encircling scleral buckles caused an
average increased axial length of 0.99 mm and average induced myopia of
2.75 diopters. Induced astigmatism was likely to occur in patients
undergoing scleral buckling surgery, but it was not related to whether a
radial element was used.
