Have you been told you have a retinal detachment or tear and are worried about losing your vision? At New York Retina Center, Dr. Brandon Johnson performs scleral buckle surgery to repair retinal detachments, tears, and related conditions. He offers expert, compassionate surgical care that helps preserve your eyesight and restore vision.
Reattach the Retina and Protect Your Sight
Scleral buckle surgery is a specialized retinal procedure that aims to repair retinal detachment by gently pressing the eye’s outer wall (sclera) inward toward the retina. This relieves traction, allowing the detached retina to reattach and heal. During surgery, Dr. Johnson places a small, flexible silicone band around the eye’s surface, which remains permanently in place but is not visible or uncomfortable. This procedure restores the normal position of the retina and helps prevent further vision loss or recurrence of detachment.
Scleral Buckle Surgery Can Treat These Symptoms:
- Sudden appearance of dark floaters in your vision
- Bright flashes of light or lightning-like streaks
- A shadow or curtain moving across your visual field
- Blurred, distorted, or reduced central vision
- Loss of peripheral (side) vision
- Visual dark spots or blind areas developing suddenly
- Vision changes following an eye injury or trauma
When is Scleral Buckle Surgery Indicated?
Scleral buckle surgery is primarily used to treat retinal detachment, a serious condition in which the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye, separates from its normal position. This often occurs when a retinal tear allows fluid to seep underneath, pulling the retina away from the underlying layers that nourish it. Without treatment, retinal detachment can lead to permanent vision loss. Scleral buckle surgery restores the retina’s attachment, allowing it to function properly again. By addressing the underlying traction and sealing retinal breaks, Dr. Johnson helps preserve your vision.
Benefits of Scleral Buckle Surgery:
- Restores the retina’s normal position to preserve vision
- Effectively treats certain types of retinal detachments and tears
- Provides a permanent, long-lasting repair for retinal stability
- Minimizes the risk of future retinal detachment in the treated eye
- Allows natural healing without removing the vitreous gel
- Offers excellent visual outcomes when performed promptly
What Happens During Scleral Buckle Surgery?
During scleral buckle surgery, you’ll receive local or general anesthesia so you don’t feel discomfort. Dr. Johnson creates small incisions on the sclera, the white outer layer of your eye, to access the area where the retina has detached. A medical-grade silicone band (the “buckle”) is sutured to the sclera, gently indenting the wall of the eye so it presses against the retinal tear and seals it. He may use cryotherapy or laser photocoagulation to secure the retina, preventing fluid from leaking underneath and restoring proper alignment.
What is the Recovery Process After Scleral Buckle Surgery?
After surgery, your eye will feel sore, red, or slightly swollen for several days, and your vision may be blurry. You may even notice temporary double vision or mild discomfort, which typically improves over time. Dr. Johnson may prescribe antibiotics or steroid eye drops to prevent any infection and reduce inflammation. Most patients resume light activities within a week, but strenuous movement or heavy lifting should be avoided until fully cleared by the doctor. Complete visual recovery can take several weeks to months.
Schedule Your Consultation
New York Retina Center is dedicated to helping you protect and restore your vision with advanced, compassionate care. Led by Dr. Brandon Johnson, a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained retina surgeon with over 15 years of experience, our practice offers the highest level of expertise in complex retinal repair. Schedule your consultation for scleral buckle surgery in Manhattan today and take the first step toward preserving your eyesight.
