Biomechanics of Scleral Buckling and Effects on Eye Geometry

Scleral buckling is a method of reattaching the neurosensory retina to the retinal pigment epithelium when retinal detachment occurs. While the buckle procedure has high success rates in terms of reattaching the retina, the forces created by encircling and segmental buckles can alter the biomechanical properties of the eye and many of its structures, including axial length, corneal power, astigmatism, corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor, anterior chamber depth, ocular volume, ocular rigidity, and ocular blood flow. This chapter delves into the biomechanical changes induced by scleral buckling.