Quantitative Analysis of Ocular Structure after Scleral Buckle Encircling

Abstract

Scleral buckling is an ophthalmologic surgical procedure that is used to cure a retinal detachment. There are several theories to explain the mechanism of retinal reattachment after this procedure. However, it is not satisfactory to explain the postoperative changes of the eye. We used a geometric model and a computational mechanics model of the nine types of scleral bands to predict the postoperative axial length and the buckled retinal surface area, which can be used to predict the index of refraction. In a computational simulation, the postoperative axial length can be predicted using the linearity of the width-thickness ratio of the band, whereas the buckled retinal surface area is related to the width of the band. Geometric and computational models have been used to reveal retinal redundancy and to further explain the scleral buckling mechanism. Classical vector reversal theories are challenged by insufficient vector traction due to an insufficient increase in the retinal expansion length. The redundancy of the retinal length may be used to correct this problem.