Purpose: To evaluate the changes in corneal shape after pars plana vitrectomy, encircling buckling surgery, and a combination of the 2 procedures.
Setting: Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zrifin, and Goldshlager Eye Institute, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Methods: In a prospective clinical study, 61 eyes of 61 patients were assigned to 1 of 3 groups based on the type of procedure: pars plana vitrectomy, encircling buckle and pars plana vitrectomy, or encircling buckle. The eyes had corneal keratometry (TMS-1), visual acuity measurement, and videokeratography (TMS-1) preoperatively and 2 days, 1 week, and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The topographic parameters statistically analyzed were the corneal surface cylinder, simulated keratometry, surface regularity index, surface asymmetry index, standard deviation of corneal power, average corneal power, and irregular astigmatism index.
Results: The measurements of all topographic indices were statistically significantly different from baseline measures 2 and 7 days postoperatively in all 3 groups. However, at 1 and 3 months, there was no significant difference from preoperatively in any index. Postoperative best corrected visual acuity was statistically significantly different from preoperatively.
Conclusions: All corneal surface indices were significantly altered after all 3 types of surgery. Corneal surface measurements returned to preoperative values by 1 month postoperatively and remained stable until the final follow-up at 3 months.