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.