Encircling operations without drainage of subretinal fluid

An encircling constriction procedure has been added to the localized indentation operation. The inclusion of a cerclage does not in itself require drainage of subretinal fluid. Experiments were done in an animal model to determine the amount of constriction that would be tolerated by the eye without provoking a significant incidence of anterior segment ischemia or scleral erosion. From these experiments it was projected that the human eye might withstand a reduction in band length between 10 and 20% of its circumference without important morbidity. 119 patients were operated upon over six years with a cerclage constricted within these limits. Anterior segment ischemia occurred twice, scleral erosion not at all.