Scleral buckle surgery is a retinal detachment repair in which a silicone band or sponge is sutured to the outer wall of the eye. It indents the sclera to support and seal retinal breaks.
Surgical Steps
The surgeon identifies retinal tears, applies cryotherapy, and then secures the buckle over the area, sometimes draining subretinal fluid. The buckle may be segmental or encircling, depending on the detachment.
- Performed under regional or general anaesthetic
- The buckle usually remains permanently attached
- May cause a mild myopic shift in refractive error
- Occasionally combined with vitrectomy for complex cases
Recovery
Post‑operative discomfort, redness, and swelling are common but improve over days to weeks. Visual recovery depends on macular involvement and duration of detachment.
- Patients must attend regular follow‑up to detect redetachment early
- Potential complications include infection, extrusion, or double vision
- Most successful surgeries stabilise or improve vision
- Protective precautions against trauma are advisable afterwards
