Retinal detachment is a rare but serious eye problem. It affects 1 out of every 300 people over the course of their lifetimes, and if it's not treated quickly, vision loss and blindness results. Retinal detachment is often treated with scleral buckle surgery. Here's what you need to know about this vision-saving procedure.
What is a scleral buckle?
The sclera is the protective outer coating of your eye. A scleral buckle is a thin belt that is placed around the circumference of the sclera to compress it. Scleral buckles are often made of silicone.
How is this procedure performed?
The first step in this procedure is to reattach the retina to the back of the eye. This is done in one of two ways: cryotherapy (freezing) or laser photocoagulation (burning). Both of these techniques create scar tissue that helps to hold the retina in place.
Next, the scleral buckle is attached. The buckle is sewn onto the outside of the eye to hold it in place. The pressure from the buckle presses the retina against the back of the eye and is meant to keep the retina from detaching again.
Will you be awake during the procedure?
Unlike more minor eye procedures, scleral buckle surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. General anesthesia is used because this procedure is quite invasive, and it's easier for both you and your optometrist if you are completely asleep during the procedure. Local anesthesia is sometimes used in cases where general anesthesia isn't safe.
How effective is this procedure?
Scleral buckle surgery is very effective. This procedure allows more than 80% of detached retinas to be successfully reattached. This doesn't mean that your vision will immediately return to normal, though. Your vision will slowly improve in the months that follow your surgery, so it will take a while to know how effective the surgery was.
Are the results permanent?
The results of scleral buckle surgery are not always permanent. In the first year after this surgery, about 47% of people will have another retinal detachment. This happens when the retina isn't completely scarred in place before the buckle was attached, or when the buckle isn't attached in the perfect spot.
Scleral buckle surgery is an effective surgical treatment for retinal detachments. If your retina is detached, you need to have this procedure done as soon as possible to save your vision. Contact an ophthalmology clinic like Nevada Institute Of Ophthalmology right away.
Share6 April 2015
Hi there, I am Sophie Moye. I would like to help you learn what to expect during your yearly eye exam. Whether you have perfect vision or need corrective lenses, you must have an eye exam performed on a regular basis. The eye exam also identifies health problems that show symptoms through your eye condition. Furthermore, your eye doctor can create a vision baseline that can be used to gauge loss or improvement in the future. I hope to discuss the tools and techniques used to complete the eye exam. I will also discuss symptoms that eye doctors look for during the exams. My site will cover all of the health conditions that can be diagnosed using an eye exam. Thank you for your time.
