Visual changes after encircling band removal.

AIMS: Visual changes over 1 year in 40 eyes were studied in 40 patients after removing scleral encircling bands.

METHODS

Encircling bands in 20 eyes were cut and removed. The fellow eyes of the above patients and the eyes of another 20 patients with encircling bands that were not removed over the same period served as controls. Intraocular pressure, best-corrected visual acuity, axial length, microperimetry and corneal topography were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 week and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Both best-corrected visual acuity and astigmatism were significantly improved at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.05 for each). Microperimetry examination showed that 2° fixation stability increased by 52.6% (p < 0.01), 4° fixation stability increased by 17.65% (p < 0.01) and 10° mean sensitivity increased by 30% (p < 0.05). However, the pre- and postoperative axial length showed no significant difference.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that removing scleral encircling bands within the desired time postoperatively may give better visual outcomes due to decreased corneal astigmatism and improved average macular retinal light sensitivity. Removal of the encircling band is a safe, simple and feasible operation.