PURPOSE:

A prospective study was conducted to compare the refractive changes after three different types of scleral buckling surgery.

METHODS:

A total of 100 eyes of 100 patients were divided into three groups according to the type of performed buckling procedure: Group 1, encircling scleral buckling (42 patients); Group 2, encircling with vitrectomy (30 patients); Group 3, encircling with additional segmental buckling (28 patients). Refractive examinations were performed before and at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS:

Changes in spherical equivalent and axial length were significant in all 3 groups. The amount of induced astigmatism was more significant in Group 3. No statistically significant difference was found in the amount of surgically induced changes between Groups 1 and 2, at any postoperative period.

CONCLUSIONS:

All three types of scleral buckling surgery were found to produce refractive changes. A correlation exists between additional segments and extent of refractive changes.