Scleral buckling with a soft xerogel implant: II. Experiments in vivo.

Experimental scleral buckling was obtained in rabbits by using soft xerogel implants placed either episclerally or intrasclerally. After implantation of 1 x 1.5 x 2 mm or 1 x 2 x 2.5 mm implants, buckle heights ranged from 1.3 to 4.0 mm. Intrascleral implantation produced a higher buckle than episcleral implantation. The follow-up period extended from 6 months to 1 year. No significant inflammatory reactions, wound dehiscence, or extrusions or intrusions of the poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate), PHEA, implant were observed either clinically or histologically. Our impression is that HEA can be a useful material for treatment of retinal detachment, particularly when a localized high buckle is required or for patients with thin and weak sclera.