Scleral expansion bands for presbyopia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of surgery using scleral expansion bands.

DESIGN: Prospective, noncomparative, small case series.

PARTICIPANTS: Six subjects were enrolled. Four subjects received implants in one eye and two subjects received implants in both eyes.

METHODS: Implantation of the scleral expansion bands (SEB) was performed using Schachar's standard technique. Subjects were observed at six postoperative examination intervals through 1 year.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The key efficacy measures were distance-corrected near visual acuity (at 40 cm and 60 cm) and subjective amplitude of accommodation (push-up, push-down, and minus lens procedures).

RESULTS: Distance visual acuity was similar before and after surgery. The near visual acuity and the subjective amplitude of accommodation were temporarily improved in three eyes. However, in the other five eyes, we did not note any improvement of accommodation or near vision after the scleral expansion surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the outcome of the SEB intervention was characterized by inconsistent and unpredictable results with a low level of patient satisfaction.