Effect of Experimental Scleral Shortening on Axial Length of the Rabbit Eye

Purpose: To evaluate the change of axial length (AL), intraocular pressure (IOP), and corneal astigmatism after scleral shortening with scleral invagination in the rabbit eye. Methods: The authors performed scleral shortening (3 mm) with scleral invagination in two groups of 6 eyes each: 180 degrees (group 1) and 360 degrees (group 2). Results: Average AL shortening was more prominent in group 2 (0.5±0.17 mm) than in group 1 (0.37±0.29 mm), but the difference was not statistically significant. IOP increased immediately after the procedure and was maintained at a high level through 2 months postoperatively. Induced corneal astigmatism was more prominent in group 1 than in group 2. The difference was statistically significant in group 1 (p<0.05) but not in group 2. Conclusions: In the scleral shortening with scleral invagination procedure, a large amount of scleral invagination resulted in more shortening of axial length, but there was more corneal astigmatism in 180-degree invagination of the sclera than in 360-degree. Further research is required to determine the effect of the extent of scleral invagination on the change of these values. Korean Journal of Ophthalmology 19(2):101-105, 2005