Scleral buckle surgery is associated with which refractive change?

Scleral buckle surgery is associated with which refractive change?

• A. Hyperopic shift
• B. Myopic shift
• C. No refractive change
• D. Astigmatism only

Answer: (A)

When a scleral buckle is placed, the sclera is indented to support retinal reattachment, which effectively shortens the length of the eyeball. Shorter axial length shifts the eye's focus so that light rays converge behind the retina if the vision is not corrected, producing a hyperopic (farsighted) change. So hyperopic shift is the typical refractive outcome after scleral buckle surgery. There can also be induced astigmatism from changes in the scleral contour, but the primary refractive change is hyperopia.

When a scleral buckle is placed, the sclera is indented to support retinal reattachment, which effectively shortens the length of the eyeball. Shorter axial length shifts the eye's focus so that light rays converge behind the retina if the vision is not corrected, producing a hyperopic (farsighted) change. So hyperopic shift is the typical refractive outcome after scleral buckle surgery. There can also be induced astigmatism from changes in the scleral contour, but the primary refractive change is hyperopia.