Refractive changes associated with scleral buckling and division in retinopathy of prematurity.

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Abstract
SCLERAL BUCKLING for the treatment of retinal detachments associated with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has been accepted as a viable treatment option since the early 1980s.1-3 Although the initial goal of treatment is anatomical reattachment of the retina, the ultimate goal is the maintenance or improvement of visual function. To maintain the maximal visual potential of infant eyes it is important not only to achieve retinal reattachment but also to provide an optically clear image to the retina. Because scleral buckling induces axial and lenticular myopia, it would seem important then to follow up and appropriately treat these optical changes in infants with a scleral buckle. Because many authors also advocate division of the scleral buckle once a stable reattachment has been achieved, it would seem important to know what effect this has on the refractive status of the infant eye to prevent refractive amblyopia. The goal of this article is to address the refractive changes associated with scleral buckling and subsequent division of the scleral buckle in infant eyes with ROP.