![]() A small hole can then be made in a noncritical area of the retina and the fluid can be extracted from under the retina with suction. Scleral buckle surgery is sometimes combined with vitrectomy surgery, where the surgeon uses small instruments to enter the eye and remove some of the gel. Over a period of weeks the areas treated form a scar which tightly and permanently binds the retina to the wall of the eye and prevents fluid from entering the holes. Either laser treatment or cryopexy (creating small frozen spots around the retinal holes) is used to stimulate the production of fibrin, which is a natural tissue glue, to seal the holes. A small hole is sometimes created to drain the fluid from under the retina and close the holes. The scleral buckle is intended to indent the wall of the eye where the retinal holes have formed, thereby bringing the inside wall of the eye closer to the retinal holes, closing the holes and relieving the pulling force of the gel on the retina. As the gel continues to pull on the retina, fluid from inside the eye can get through the hole and dissect between the retina and the wall of the eye causing a the retina to detach. When the gel shrinks it pulls on the retina which can cause a retinal tear to develop. However, on rare occasions the gel can be abnormally adherent to the retina or there can be thin spots in the retina. This is a normal aging process which frequently results in floater ( see “ Floaters”) as the gel peals away from the retina. The cause of many retinal detachments is contraction and shrinkage of the vitreous gel that fills the inside cavity of the eye. The purpose of these maneuvers is to indent or “buckle” the wall of the eye inward. This can be accomplished either by sewing the silicone piece to the sclera, dissecting a layer of the sclera and implanting the piece within the sclera, or creating tunnels in the sclera and encircling the globe with a silicone band which runs through the tunnels and is secured together at the ends like a belt. Although this procedure is used less frequently that it was in the past, it is still used at times either as a single procedure, or in combination with vitrectomy surgery.ĭuring scleral buckle surgery a piece of silicone rubber, either a solid piece or a sponge, is attached to the external wall of the eye (the sclera) which is a tough, leathery tissue. Your Texas Retina Associates surgeon will determine the best treatment plan for you.Ĭlick here to watch a video about scleral buckle surgery for retinal detachment.A scleral buckle is a type of surgical procedure performed to reattach a detached retina. Other retinal detachment treatments include a less invasive procedure called pneumatic retinopexy as well as vitrectomy surgery. Some patients require more than one surgery to reattach the retina. Any new floaters or flashes of light in your field of vision.You may also need to wear an eye patch for a day or two.Ĭall your physician if you experience any of the following after your scleral buckle surgery: Your doctor may have you use antibiotic eye drops to help prevent infection. ![]() In addition, your eye may be red, tender or swollen for a few weeks. You may experience some pain and blurry vision for a few days. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery. The surgeon may also use a laser (photocoagulation) or freezing therapy (cryopexy) to create scar tissue that will seal off the areas of the retina that are torn to prevent further fluid leakage. In addition, eye drops will be applied to dilate your pupils.Ī superficial incision is then made to open the conjunctiva to expose the sclera, and your Texas Retina Associates surgeon will place the scleral buckle. Your retina surgeon will determine whether to give you local or general anesthesia depending on your specific case. Scleral buckle surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day. It is typically left on the eye permanently. ![]() The scleral buckle helps to correct the retinal detachment by pressing the eye wall inward, keeping the separated areas together and allowing the retina to reattach to the eye’s interior wall. The band is sewn to the sclera and is not visible after surgery. Today, with modern techniques, scleral buckles are much less commonly used than they were 20 years ago, but in some circumstances, they are very effective as a stand alone surgery or in combination with a vitrectomy.ĭuring a buckle procedure, your retina surgeon will place a small silicone band or sponge around the sclera, the outside part of your eyeball. This surgery typically takes place in an operating room, using either local or general anesthesia. Placement of a scleral buckle is a surgical approach to correct a detached retina, a potentially blinding condition in which fluid gets under the retina and lifts it away from the back of the eye.
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