The effect of scleral buckling surgery on corneal astigmatism, corneal thickness, and anterior chamber depth.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of scleral buckling surgery on corneal topography, corneal thickness, and anterior chamber depth.

METHODS: Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients who underwent encircling buckling surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were included in the study. Fellow eyes comprised the control group. Orbscan II topography system was used to determine the changes in corneal topography, corneal thickness, and anterior chamber depth before surgery and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. Statistical analyses used in the study were independent t test, paired t test, one way analysis of variance, and correlation analyses.

RESULTS: Postoperatively, mean central corneal astigmatism at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months was 4.3 +/- 2.0 diopters (D), 3.3 +/- 1.6 D, and 3.1 +/- 1.0 D, respectively. The change between 1 week and 3 months was statistically significant. Central cornea was thickened at the first postoperative week. The thickness gradually decreased to the preoperative levels at 3 months. Anterior chamber depth decreased, and the anterior chamber remained shallow after the surgery. The comparison between preoperative (2.94 +/- 0.6 mm) and postoperative anterior chamber depth was statistically significant at 1 week (2.57 +/- 0.7 mm), 1 month (2.83 +/- 0.7 mm), and 3 months (2.73 +/- 0.6 mm).

CONCLUSIONS: Corneal changes after scleral buckling surgery were mild to moderate and the cornea almost resumed its preoperative parameters in 3 months' time. However, the anterior chamber remained shallow during 3 months of follow-up.