Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
BOOKS
Buettner, Helmut, M.D., editor. Mayo Clinic on Vision and EyeHealth. Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic Health Information, 2002.
Cassel, Gary H., M.D., Michael D., Billig, O.D., and Harry...
G. Randall, M.D. The Eye Book: A Complete Guide to Eye Disorders and Health. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998.
Everything You Need to Know About Medical Treatments, edited by Stephen Daly. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1996.
Sardgena, Jill, et al. The Encyclopedia of Blindness and Vision Impairment, 2nd Edition. New York, NY: Facts on File, Inc. 2002.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Ophthalmology. PO Box 7424, San Francisco, CA 94120-7424. (415) 561-8500.
American Board of Ophthalmology. 111 Presidential Boulevard, Suite 241, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004-1075. (610) 664-1175. info@abop.org.
National Eye Institute. 2020 Vision Place, Bethesda, MD 20892-3655. (301) 496-5248.
OTHER
Handbook of Ocular Disease Management: Retinal Detachment Review of Ophthalmology [cited April 21, 2003].
"Retinal Detachment."VisionChannel.net [cited April 12, 2003].
"Retinal Detachment Repair."EyeMdLink.com [cited May 1, 2003].
Wu, Lihteh, M.D. "Retinal Detachment, Exudative."emedicine.com. June 28, 2001 [cited May 1, 2003].
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Other Information
A scleral buckle is one of several ophthalmologic procedures that can be used to repair a retinal detachment. Retinal detachments are usually caused by retinal tears, and a scleral buckle can be used to close the retinal break.
Scleral buckles come in many shapes and sizes. An encircling band is a thin silicone band sewn around the circumference of the sclera of the eye. Buckles are often placed under a band to create a dimple on the eye wall.
The scleral buckle is secured around the eyeball under the conjunctiva. This moves the wall of the eye closer to the detached retina. It also may move the retina closer to the vitreous. This alteration in the relationships of the tissues seems to allow the fluid which has formed under the retina to be pumped out, and the retina to re-attach. No-one really understands the physics or physiology of this process.
Other Information
Surgeons aim for results of 20/20 or better so that you can perform most daily activities without your glasses. However, there is a possibility that after surgery, you may need to wear reading glasses or corrective lenses for at least some activities.
-Eye Surgery Education Council
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