Effects of scleral buckling without encircling procedures on retrobulbar hemodynamics as measured by color Doppler imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of segmental scleral buckling without encircling procedures on retrobulbar hemodynamic conditions using color Doppler imaging.


METHODS
In 65 consecutive eyes of 65 patients with unilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repaired by scleral buckling, we prospectively measured the blood flow velocities in the ophthalmic artery, central retinal artery, and short posterior ciliary artery using color Doppler imaging before and 2, 12, and 24 weeks after surgery. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and end diastolic velocity (EDV) (calculated in centimeters per second) were measured using color Doppler imaging.


RESULTS
The PSV and EDV in the ophthalmic artery were not changed significantly during follow-up. The PSV and EDV in the central retinal artery were reduced temporarily at 2 weeks after surgery, but at 12 weeks after surgery had returned to presurgery levels. The PSV and EDV in the short posterior ciliary artery on both sides continued to decrease postoperatively, and the reductions became statistically significant by 24 weeks after surgery (buckled side: P=.001 for PSV and P=.002 for EDV; unbuckled side: P<.001 for PSV and P=.004 for EDV). The decreases of PSV and EDV in the short posterior ciliary artery on the buckled side were positively correlated with the subject's age (R = 0.40, P = .001 for PSV; and R = 0.32, P = .008 for EDV).


CONCLUSIONS
Scleral buckling procedures can cause subclinical disturbance of the choroidal circulation, even if encircling procedures are avoided. Aging is one of the risk factors for the disturbance.
Ito
Yoshikazu
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, Mie University School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi, Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan.
Sasoh
Mikio
M
Ido
Masashi
M
Osawa
Shunsuke
S
Wakitani
Yoshikatsu
Y
Uji
Yukitaka
Y
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D019842:Ciliary Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009880:Ophthalmic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D012591:Scleral Buckling; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color