Changes in Axial Length and Anterior Chamber Depth after Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repair

Purpose: This study measure the changes in Anterior Chamber Depth (ACD) and Axial Length (AL) after scleral buckle (SB) surgery or Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV) for the repair of rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (RD). Methods: 102 eyes of patients undergoing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair were prospectively reviewed. 49 eyes of 49 patients scheduled to undergo SB surgery and 53 eyes of 53 patients scheduled to undergo PPV. ACD and AL were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and biometry, 1 day before surgery as well as 3 and 4 months postoperatively. Results: ACD was not decreased significantly for patients undergoing PPV surgeries 3 months postoperative (p=0.0843) and 4 months postoperative (p=0.2616). ACD was observed to decrease significantly 3 months (p=0.029) and 4 months (p=0.0027) postoperatively for patients undergoing SB surgeries. AL increased significantly after SB surgery 3 months postoperative (p=0.0020) and 4 months postoperative (p=0.0001). AL not increased significantly after PPV surgery 3 months postoperative (p=0.0863) and 4 months postoperative (p=0.1576). The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.005. Conclusion: Our results showed that SB surgery altered the shape of the eye by changing both ACD and AL, however, PPV not altered ACD and AL significantly. These findings should elucidate the changes to be expected after SB and PPV surgeries.