AIM:To investigate changes in refractive state after scleral encircling and buckling surgery·METHODS:Twenty-three cases(23 eyes) that were successfully treated for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with scleral encircling and buckling were measured with A-scan ultrasonography and given rtinoscopy optometry 1 day before surgery,as well as 1 week,4 weeks and 12 weeks after surgery.Refractive factors,axial length,chamber depth,lens thickness,refractive power of cornea and diopter status of the eyes were measured and compared pre-and post-operatively·RESULTS:When compared to the data obtained before surgery,significant increases in both axial length and lens thickness of the eyes were observed on the 1st,4th and 12th week after surgery(P<0.01 for both factors,but P<0.05 for diopter strength and anterior chamber shallowing refractive power increase.Diopter strength had a tendency to shift to a negative value·CONCLUSION:Axial length and diopter strength increased after surgery.This suggests that the myopic shift after scleral encircling and buckling surgery may be primarily caused by the increase of axial length.