[Changes of refraction following operations with episcleral plugs and encircling procedures in cases of retinal detachment (author's transl)].

Episcleral plugs reduce the circumference of the globe and cause an egg-shaped deformation; immediately after the operation the deformation seems to be more important than the circumference reduction. Out of 46 eyes operated on with episcleral silastic sponges or submitted to encircling procedures 3 developed hypermetropisation, and 35 myopisation; in 8 cases the refraction did not change.