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Scleral buckling surgery: Postoperative

Illustration copyright 2003 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

In scleral buckling surgery, the scleral buckle is placed against the outer surface of the eye and sewn onto the eye to keep it in place. The buckle pushes the sclera toward the middle of the eye, relieving the pull on the retina and allowing the tear to settle against the wall of the eye.

Extreme cold (cryopexy) or light (laser photocoagulation) is used to scar the area around the tear and hold it in place until a seal forms between the retina and the layer beneath it.

Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC
- Ophthalmology
Last Updated September 14, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: September 14, 2007
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