Scleral Buckle
This surgery is generally performed in the operating room under general or local anesthesia. The surgeon first treats the retinal tear with cryotherapy by placing a cryoprobe on the outside part of the eye (the sclera) as he looks into the eye. The surgeon then places the cryoprobe in the correct position, and the retinal tear is treated. A piece of silicone elastic plastic or sponge is sewn onto the outer wall of the eyeball (sclera) to create an indentation or buckle effect inside the eye. The buckle is positioned so that it pushes in on the retina, effectively closing the break. This buckle counteracts the forces that are pulling the retina away from it's normal position, and it is meant to stay in place forever. Another type of scleral buckling surgery can be done with a small rubber balloon, which is removed after a few days.
The silicone may also be placed all around the outside of the eye. Called an encircling scleral buckle or band, this lessens the pulling of the vitreous on the retina. The surgeon may make a tiny slit in the sclera and then puncture the space under the retina to drain the fluid
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