Scleral Buckle
A scleral buckle is a surgical procedure that is performed to repair a detached retina.
The retina is a photoreceptive multi-layered tissue that lines the back of the eye. It collects light as it passes through the eye and communicates with the brain to create an image. Retinal tears are small breaks in the retina that are generally caused by age-related factors, underlying conditions, or traumatic injuries to the eye.
When the retina sustains a tear, fluid from the vitreous humor (i.e. the clear gel-like liquid that fills the eye) can pass through and start leaking under the retina. If a significant amount of liquid seeps through, it can separate the retina from the back wall. This is called retinal detachment. When a retinal detachment occurs, it can cause permanent vision loss and blindness in the affected eye, especially if not treated immediately.
The scleral buckle procedure repairs a detached retina by using a small piece of silicone to hold the eye wall against the retina, helping to keep the retina secure and in the correct anatomical position against the back wall of the eye.
The entire scleral buckle procedure takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. After the surgery, recovery can take between two to four weeks. Patients can expect to receive specific instructions from their surgeon about their recovery period, which will include a recovery plan, any prescription medications, and potential side effects to keep an eye out for.
Scleral Buckle Surgery in Washington State
To learn more about scleral buckle surgery and other treatments for retinal tears and detachments, schedule a visit with one of our retina specialists, or call us toll-free at 800.331.3719 or 206.215.3850. We have locations in Seattle, Bellevue, Bellingham, Burlington, Mountlake Terrace, Kent, and Ellensburg.
