Improving vision

Removing the scleral encircling bands after they have served their purpose in scleral buckling surgery for retinal detachment is safe and easy and may improve vision by decreasing corneal astigmatism and enhancing macular sensitivity, a new study suggests. The prospective study involved 40 patients who had undergone scleral buckling surgery and who subsequently underwent removal of the scleral encircling bands. At a follow-up of six months, the patients had significant improvements in their uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity and a significant reduction in astigmatism.

 •  (Liao et al, Ophthalmologica 2012 (DOI: 10.1159/000336895.)