SCLERAL REINFORCEMENT

Scleral reinforcement. Scleral reinforcement is proposed to stabilize the visual acuity in patients with macular myopic staphyloma. Although many patients have been treated, this procedure is still debated. Pur pose Evaluation of the feasibility of scleral reinforcement and the op erative risk of this procedure. Patients and methods Patients were eli gible for this prospective study patients with a clinical history of v isual loss, staphyloma concerning the macular area associated with atr ophic lesion and or lacquer cracks. Sixteen eyes in 13 successive pati ents have been operated on with a single band of PTFE. Results At the last examination, visual acuity was unchanged for 14 cases. In one cas e, an improvement of the vision was related to the disappearing of a m acular detachment by shortening of the axial length. In one case, visi on decline was associated with inadequate band position. Diplopia occu rred in 2 cases. A choroidal detachment, and a vitreous haemorrhage di sappeared without sequelae. Conclusion An accurate techniques is neces sary to avoid operative risk. Further long term studies are needed to assess the benefit of scleral reinforcement.