Effects of scleral reinforcement on the elongation of growing cat eyes.

Objective: We investigated the effect of scleral reinforcement on ocular elongation in the rapidly growing eyes of juvenile cats.
Methods: Bands made from donor sclera or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene were used to reinforce one eye of each animal; contralateral eyes underwent sham surgery.
Results: During 5 months of follow-up, normal intraocular pressures implied normal functioning of angle structures. A-scan on the central axis showed no difference in globe lengths. Direct physical measurements of the posterior aspect of the globe at enucleation revealed significant decreases in off-center lengthening where reinforcement was present compared with unreinforced areas in the same eyes and in the contralateral unbanded eyes. Venous beading in fundus photographs of three eyes suggested impairment of venous outflow.
Conclusions: Scleral reinforcement appears to control expansion of the growing cat eye to a limited extent, but the effects on vision and retinal perfusion require further investigation.