Persistent subretinal fluid following diabetic tractional retinal detachment repair: risk factors, natural history, and management outcomes

Persistent subretinal fluid following tractional retinal detachment repair: An exploring use of dexamethasone implant

INTRODUCTION

To report a successful application of dexamethasone implants in the treatment of a massive amount of persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) following a tractional retinal detachment (TRD) surgery.

CASE REPORT

A 44-year-old woman was found to have SRF 1 week after a diabetic TRD surgery. The central macular thickness (CMT) reached up to 1.47 mm and remained high after a month's observation. For better restoration, 2 dexamethasone implants (Ozurdex) were applied at postoperative week 5 and 32 respectively and got good outcomes. The SRF decrease showed a close correlation with Ozurdex treatments: The CMT declined quickly in the next 16 weeks both after 2 times of Ozurdex applications (the linear regression slopes of CMT changes: -12.54 and -22.94, respectively). In contrast, in the interval of 2 injections, the CMT had few changes (the slope: -4.667) even if applying an anti-VEGF agent. Eventually, SRF was completely resolved 48 weeks after the surgery.

DISCUSSION

Dexamethasone implant can be an option for effective treatment of persistent SRF after TRD repair, especially in some refractory cases. However, the mechanism remains unclear, and the treatment regimen needs to be explored based on more clinical trials.

Functional and structural outcomes and complications after pars plana vitrectomy for severe features of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

To evaluate the functional and structural outcomes as well as postoperative complications after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for severe features of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.

METHODS

Twenty two eyes of type 1 diabetics (DM1 group) and 27 eyes of type 2 diabetics (DM2 group) were included. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), postoperative structural changes in optical coherence tomography (OCT) and postoperative complications such as recurrent vitreous haemorrhage, diabetic macular oedema, secondary glaucoma and persistent tractional retinal detachment (TRD) were assessed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Complete reattachment of retina was achieved in 88.9% from the DM1 group and in 95.5% from the DM2 group and remained attached in follow-up. BCVA in DM2 group was significantly lower preoperatively (p = 0.04). Mean postoperative BCVA significantly improved in both studied groups, but it was more evident in eyes of type 2 diabetics compared to type 1 diabetics. In eyes in the DM1 group there was perceptible stabilisation of BCVA. Poor visual acuity or lack of improvement in BCVA in the DM1 group was related to preoperative subretinal haemorrhage in macular region, and TRD involving macula, whereas in the DM2 group-to preoperative subretinal haemorrhage and neovascular glaucoma. The postoperative structural changes (disruption of EZ and ELM) were observed more often in DM2 group, but had the greatest impact on BCVA in eyes of type 1 DM. Complications after PPV for PDR were rare and hadn't a significant influence on the final functional outcomes in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional improvement after PPV for severe features of proliferative diabetic retinopathy were more noticeable in patients with type 2 DM. Postoperative structural changes had more negative impact on BCVA in type 1 diabetics.

Outcomes and Complications of Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Tractional Retinal Detachment in People With Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Importance

Tractional retinal detachment (TRD) occurs in approximately 5% of people with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and poses a threat to vision. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is the treatment of choice for TRD.

Objective

To determine anatomic and functional outcomes of PPV for the treatment of TRD in people with diabetes (dTRD).

Data Sources

MEDLINE and Embase were searched systematically from January 1, 2000, to February 20, 2022. In addition, a reference list of eligible studies were screened.

Study Selection

Eligible studies were those published in English, those reporting outcomes of PPV for dTRD, and those that included more than 25 eyes and with a minimum follow-up of 3 months.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for data extraction/synthesis were followed, and the National Institute for Health quality assessment tool was used to assess risk of bias. Study eligibility was determined independently by 2 reviewers; data extraction was conducted by 1 reviewer and entries checked for accuracy by another. Data were pooled using a random-effects model.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Main outcomes included rate of failure of retinal reattachment following 1 surgery and final visual acuity (VA). The association of baseline patient characteristics and surgical maneuvers with postoperative surgical outcomes was investigated.

Results

Of the 406 studies identified, 38 (3839 eyes) were eligible and included for analysis. Patients had a median (IQR) age of 52.2 (49.6-55.7) years. In the studies reporting patient sex (31 of 38 studies), 1441 were female individuals (50.1%). The overall failure rate of retinal reattachment after 1 surgery was 5.9% (95% CI, 1.4%-8.3%), and the mean final VA was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.82-1.05) logMAR (approximate Snellen equivalent, 6/53; 95% CI, 6/39-6/71). People with higher preoperative VA achieved higher postoperative vision (0.66 logMAR worse final vision; 95% CI, 0.39-0.84 per 1.0 logMAR worse at baseline; P <.001). On multivariable analysis, no other patient characteristics or surgical variables had a statistically significant association with outcomes.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that PPV was an effective strategy to achieve retinal reattachment in people with dTRD. Given that higher preoperative VA was the only factor associated with higher postoperative vision, early intervention should be considered and discussed in detail with patients. Overall, final postoperative VA remains low, and patients should be counseled on the guarded prognosis of dTRD.

The Learning Curve of Surgery of Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment-A Retrospective, Comparative Study

Background and Objectives: There are few data in the literature concerning the learning curve of tractional retinal detachment (TRD) surgery. We have analyzed the experience gained by a vitreoretinal surgeon over 10 years. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, comparative study of 34 TRD cases operated using 20G instruments between 2008 and 2011 (group A) and 94 cases operated using 23G instruments between 2015 and 2019 (group B). The preoperative characteristics, the type of endotamponade, and the anatomical and functional success were reviewed. Results: The group A patients had a significantly higher rate of concomitant vitreous hemorrhage (VH) at presentation (64.7% vs. 37.2%) and of non-macular retinal detachments (52.9% vs. 39.3%). The rate of silicone oil endotamponade was high in both groups (76.4% vs. 68.1%), but in group B 25.5% were left without a tamponade (vs. none in group A). A postoperative anatomical success was obtained in 76.5% of eyes in group A and 84.04% of eyes in group B (where it was improved to 89.3% by reinterventions). The presenting visual acuity (VA) was very low in both groups (0.01 and 0.05, respectively). The proportion of eyes with improved or stabilized VA was 85.3% in group A and 79.8% in group B (statistically non-significant difference). Conclusions: The anatomical success rate improves quite slowly with increasing surgeon experience and can be further improved by reinterventions. Visual improvement does not match the rate of anatomical improvement. With increasing experience and self-confidence, the surgeon will approach more difficult cases, a fact that may slow down the increase in surgical success rates.

Spontaneous resolution of subretinal fluid postvitreoretinal surgery for tractional retinal detachment in proliferative diabetic retinopathy

A man in his 60s with proliferative diabetic retinopathy presented with vision loss in both eyes in the past 1 month. On presentation, the best corrected visual acuity was 20/60 and 20/125 for the right and left eyes, respectively. On examination, he had total tractional retinal detachment (TRD) in the left eye and macula threatening TRD in the right eye. In both eyes, the patient had pars plana vitrectomy, membrane peeling, endolaser and silicone oil injection. Though the left eye's postoperative recovery was uneventful, the subretinal fluid (SRF) in the right eye macula persisted. There was no open retinal break noted in the postoperative period, and no surgical intervention was done for the persistent SRF. The fluid was eventually absorbed over 4 months, with the recovery of vision to 20/40.

Surgical outcome of full-thickness macular hole secondary to tractional retinal detachment in proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Purpose:

To evaluate the surgical outcome of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) secondary to active fibrovascular proliferation (FVP) and tractional retinal detachment (TRD) in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and factors influencing the outcome.

Methods:

This retrospective study included the patients who underwent vitrectomy for FTMH secondary to PDR TRD from 2016 to 2020. Anatomical and visual outcomes were analyzed after six months along with the factors predicting the final outcome and duration of subretinal fluid (SRF) resolution.

Results:

Group A (macula-off combined RD, i.e., tractional and rhegmatogenous) included 10 eyes, while group B (macula-threatening TRD) included eight eyes. The mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from logMAR 1.21 (Snellen equivalent: 20/324) to logMAR 0.76 (Snellen equivalent: 20/115) (P = 0.008). Seventeen patients gained ≥1 line(s) of vision. Mean visual gain in groups A and B was 3.7 ± 1.9 and 1.9 ± 1.1 lines, respectively (P = 0.051). MH closed in 88.9% eyes. Type 1 anatomical closure was achieved in 88.9% of eyes. At 6 months, SRF and central macular thickness reduced from 479.6 ± 512.5 μm to 11.4 ± 23.5 μm (P = 0.002) and 874.3 ± 422.6 μm to 207.6 ± 81.7 μm (P = 0.0002), respectively. Finally, macular SRF resolved in all the patients. The mean duration for complete SRF resolution was 4.9 ± 3.2 months. Eyes with a shorter duration of diabetes mellitus (rho = −0.49, P = 0.040) and macula-off combined RD (P = 0.048) took a longer time for complete SRF resolution.

Conclusion:

Good anatomical and visual outcomes can be achieved in eyes with PDR TRD-associated FTMH. The residual macular SRF resolves slowly after the surgery and extra intervention is not required. Macula-off combined RD is associated with worse outcome and a slower SRF resolution rate.

Efficacy of Intravitreal Dexamethasone After Combined Phacoemulsification and Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachments

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of intravitreal dexamethasone with simultaneous silicone tamponade after combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in severe diabetic tractional retinal detachments (TRDs). Methods: In this single center, prospective, randomized, and open labeled 2 parallel group study, patients who applied to our clinic due to diabetic TRD involving the macula with grade-3 and 4 cataracts were randomized to receive either simultaneous silicone tamponade and intravitreal dexamethasone (Group-1) or only silicone tamponade (Group-2). Primary outcome measurements were the incidence rate of retinal re-detachment and, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) at sixth month, and anterior segment inflammation and posterior iris synechia at first and at sixth months. Results: We operated 22 eyes of 22 patients in Group-1 (PPV with dexamethasone implant) and 21 eyes of 21 patients in Group-2 (PPV without dexamethasone implant). The rate of re-detachment and PVR were significantly higher in the Group-2 compared with in Group-1 at sixth month (Group-1, 0/22, Group-2, 6/21 28.6%, P = 0.038). Anterior chamber fibrin exudation at first month was significantly superior in the Group-2 (Group-1, 0/22, Group-2, 8/21 38.0%, P = 0.021). Posterior iris synechia was more observed in the Group-2 at sixth month (Group-1, 0/22, Group-2, 7/21 33.3%, P = 0.029). Conclusions: Dexamethasone implant at the end of combined phacoemulsification and PPV with silicon oil tamponade in patients with diabetic TRD reduces retinal re-detachment, anterior chamber fibrin exudation and posterior iris synechia. This approach can be an alternative option in the treatment of diabetic TRD with coexisting cataracts.

Serous business: Delineating the broad spectrum of diseases with subretinal fluid in the macula

A wide range of ocular diseases can present with serous subretinal fluid in the macula and therefore clinically mimic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). In this manuscript, we categorise the diseases and conditions that are part of the differential diagnosis into 12 main pathogenic subgroups: neovascular diseases, vitelliform lesions, inflammatory diseases, ocular tumours, haematological malignancies, paraneoplastic syndromes, genetic diseases, ocular developmental anomalies, medication-related conditions and toxicity-related diseases, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and tractional retinal detachment, retinal vascular diseases, and miscellaneous diseases. In addition, we describe 2 new clinical pictures associated with macular subretinal fluid accumulation, namely serous maculopathy with absence of retinal pigment epithelium (SMARPE) and serous maculopathy due to aspecific choroidopathy (SMACH). Differentiating between these various diseases and CSC can be challenging, and obtaining the correct diagnosis can have immediate therapeutic and prognostic consequences. Here, we describe the key differential diagnostic features of each disease within this clinical spectrum, including representative case examples. Moreover, we discuss the pathogenesis of each disease in order to facilitate the differentiation from typical CSC.