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Scleral buckling and ocular rigidity. Clinical ramifications
1Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and Ear Institute, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Scleral buckling surgery reduces ocular rigidity, making eyes more accommodating to increased intraocular volume. This finding is crucial for managing conditions requiring volume injection into the eye.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Ocular rigidity describes the eye's resistance to changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) with volume alterations.
- Understanding ocular rigidity is vital for procedures involving intraocular injections or volume changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of scleral buckling on ocular rigidity.
- To determine if buckling influences the eye's capacity to accommodate increased intraocular volume.
Main Methods:
- Ocular rigidity was measured in 14 donor eyes by incrementally injecting balanced salt solution and monitoring IOP.
- A scleral buckling procedure using silicone or stainless steel elements was performed.
- Ocular rigidity measurements were repeated post-buckling.
Main Results:
- Buckled eyes exhibited significantly lower ocular rigidity compared to unbuckled eyes.
- Eyes with higher buckles showed significantly reduced rigidity compared to those with shallower buckles.
- Changes in rigidity were primarily attributed to alterations in scleral shape and stress distribution.
Conclusions:
- Scleral buckling significantly decreases ocular rigidity.
- Reduced ocular rigidity in buckled eyes allows for greater volumes of injectates (e.g., vitreous substitutes, gases, antibiotics) before reaching excessive IOP.
- This has implications for managing ocular conditions requiring volume augmentation post-buckling.