SUCCESSFUL SCLERAL BUCKLING PROCEDURES DECREASE CENTRAL RETINAL ARTERY BLOOD-FLOW VELOCITY

Background. Limited data suggest that scleral buckling procedures may decrease posterior segment blood flow. How this may affect functional outcome remains unknown. Methods: In a prospective, controlled study, color Doppler imaging was used to measure blood flow velocities in the central retinal and ophthalmic arteries of both eyes in patients with unilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachments before and after primar y scleral buckle repair. Encircling elements were used in all patients . Fellow eyes served as controls. Results: Data from six consecutive p atients did not show significant preoperative circulatory abnormalitie s in either artery compared with the controls. There was a statistical ly significant reduction in mean central retinal artery blood flow vel ocities of up to 53% in the immediate postoperative period. Ophthalmic artery blood flow velocities, however, did not significantly change a fter the procedure. Successful retinal reattachment with the expected visual improvement was achieved in all patients with this primary surg ery. Conclusions: Scleral buckling procedures with encircling elements decrease blood flow velocities in the central retinal artery but leav e the ophthalmic artery unaffected. Good anatomic and functional resul ts still can be achieved despite these hemodynamic changes.