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Corneal topographic changes after retinal and vitreous surgery
D Weinberger1, H Lichter, N Loya
1Department of Ophthalmology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Ophthalmology
|August 12, 1999
Summary
Vitreoretinal surgery, particularly with scleral buckling or sutures, can alter corneal shape. Corneal videokeratography effectively measures these postoperative changes, with pneumatic retinopexy showing no significant impact.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Surgery
- Retinal Surgery
Background:
- Vitreoretinal surgery encompasses procedures like pneumatic retinopexy, vitrectomy, and scleral buckling.
- Understanding postoperative corneal changes is crucial for visual outcomes and patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate topographic changes in the cornea following various retinal and vitreous operations.
- To evaluate the utility of corneal videokeratography in assessing these postoperative alterations.
Main Methods:
- An observational prospective case series involving 46 patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery.
- Corneal topography was measured pre- and postoperatively using videokeratography.
- A novel quantitative comparative method was employed to analyze changes in the whole and central cornea.
Main Results:
- Vitrectomy with scleral sutures induced radial steepening (1.2–1.6 D) in the central cornea.
- Scleral buckling caused temporary central steepening (average 2.2 D), which resolved over 1–3 months.
- Additional buckling elements led to transient corneal steepening (0.6–0.8 D), returning to baseline postoperatively.
Conclusions:
- Corneal videokeratography is a valuable tool for assessing postoperative corneal curvature changes.
- Vitreoretinal surgery involving scleral buckling or sutures alters corneal shape.
- Pneumatic retinopexy does not significantly affect corneal topography.