Suprachoroidal injection of sodium hyaluronate as an 'internal' buckling procedure.

Various fractions of sodium hyaluronate were injected into the suprachoroidal space of rabbit eyes via the pars plana as 'internal' buckles. The areas of elevated choroid were diffuse, usually extending over approximately one quadrant. The buckling effect was short-lived, in the range of 12-72 h, but sodium hyaluronate actually survived in the suprachoroidal space up to 10-14 days or more. No significant differences between buckles created by sodium hyaluronate 1 and 2%, or by cross-linked sodium hyaluronate were observed. Internal buckling of the choroid may prove to be a viable adjunct or alternative to conventional buckling procedures in the future.