Suction rings are used to stabilize the globe during refractive surgery procedures. This study investigates the changes in ocular pressure and corneal curvature induced by a suction ring on rabbit corneas. A sharp rise in intraocular pressure, to as high as 80 mm Hg, followed by a time-dependent decline was found. The application of this ring also caused astigmatic changes in the cornea. Corneal thickening was also encountered. These findings have implications for possible artifactual changes during photorefractive keratoplasty and raise the possibility of intraocular pressure-induced damage in susceptible individuals.