Effect of scleral buckling on vector forces caused by epiretinal membranes

Epiretinal membranes exert a perpendicular force on the retina that is directed toward the center of the vitreous cavity and tends to elevate the retina from the retinal pigment epithelium. A scleral buckle changes the eye wall from concave to convex and reverses the direction of the vector force oriented perpendicular to the eye wall. Therefore, when a scleral buckle is used, the force from an epiretinal membrane pulls the retina toward the retinal pigment epithelium instead of causing retinal detachment.