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PURPOSE: To determine the cause of the progressive glaucomatous visual field defects in three patients after an encircling scleral buckle for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: Scanning laser Doppler flowmetry and visual field tests were performed on three cases with unilateral progressive visual field defect after an encircling scleral buckling for a RRD. Similar measurements were made after the buckle was removed. RESULTS: After implanting the scleral buckle, the intraocular pressure was normal and chamber angle was open. The blood flow in the neuroretinal rim of the optic disk was lower than that in the healthy fellow eye. After removing the buckle, the blood flow improved to normal levels and a further worsening of the visual field was not detected. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an encircling scleral buckle may impair choroidal circulation and lead to visual field defects similar to eyes with normal tension glaucoma.
Dr. I. Kimura, Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University, School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan. kimura@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
6.11 Bloodflow measurements (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)
9.4.11.5 Glaucomas associated with vitreoretinal surgery (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.4 Glaucomas associated with other ocular and systemic disorders > 9.4.11 Glaucomas following intraocular surgery)
6.6.2 Automated (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.6 Visual field examination and other visual function tests)
6.20 Progression (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)