scleral buckle
Pronunciation: SKLER-al BUK-ul
Surgical implant placed around the eye to support retinal reattachment in retinal detachment repair.
Full Definition
A scleral buckle is a flexible band or solid piece of silicone material that is surgically placed around the circumference of the eye to create an indentation in the scleral wall, thereby reducing vitreoretinal traction and supporting retinal reattachment. This external approach to retinal detachment repair is often combined with cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation to seal retinal tears. The buckle may be circumferential (encircling band) or segmental (localized buckle) depending on the extent and location of the detachment. Scleral buckling procedures have high success rates and may be preferred over vitrectomy for certain types of retinal detachments, particularly in younger patients.
In Context
- "A circumferential scleral buckle was placed to support reattachment of the inferior retinal detachment." — Operative report
- "The patient's scleral buckle provided excellent long-term anatomical support with stable retinal attachment." — Long-term follow-up note