Predicting visual outcomes for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with optical coherence tomography

An Evaluation of the Repeatability of Visual Function Following Surgical Repair of Macula-Off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Purpose

To evaluate the reliability and reproducibility of visual function assessments for patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods

This prospective study included patients with unilateral macula-off RRD of <10-day duration successfully treated with a single, uncomplicated surgery at least 1 year following repair. Visual function assessments were performed at time of enrollment and 1 month later. Testing included Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low-luminance visual acuity (LLVA), low-contrast visual acuity (VA) 2.5% and 5%, contrast sensitivity assessment with Mars and Gabor patches, reading speed (acuity, speed, and critical print size), color vision testing (protan, deutan, and tritan), and microperimetry. Spectral-domain ocular coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was performed. Paired t-statistics were used to compare values between visits and between the study and fellow eyes.

Results

Fourteen patients (9 male, 5 female) with a mean age of 69 years at time of surgery were evaluated. Correlation coefficients across the two visits were highest for ETDRS BCVA (0.97), tritan color vision testing (0.96), and low-contrast VA 5% (0.96), while the average t-statistic was largest for low-luminance deficit (4.2), ETDRS BCVA (4.1), and reading speed critical print size (3.7). ETDRS BCVA did not correlate with SD-OCT findings.

Conclusions

ETDRS BCVA can be considered a highly reliable and reproducible outcome measure. LLVA, protan color discrimination, contrast sensitivity, and reading speed may be useful secondary outcome measures.

Translational Relevance

This study provides guidance on the selection of visual function outcome measures for clinical trials of patients with macula-off RRD.

Vision-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Treated With Pars-Plana Vitrectomy: Impact of Gas Tamponade

PURPOSE

To investigate changes in vision-related quality of life in patients treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and compare groups according to the type of gas tamponade used.

METHODS

Participants in this study were 48 patients with RRD who were treated with PPV and gas tamponade (sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) or perfluoropropane (C₃F₈)) without internal limiting membrane peeling. All participants underwent slit-lamp examination, fundoscopy, axial-length measurement, and completed the Vision Function Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25) at month six postoperatively. We compared VFQ-25 composite and subscale scores in the SF₆ and C₃F₈ groups and investigated any correlations between age, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length, and VFQ-25 scores.

RESULTS

The demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups (axial length, macular status, retinal detachment extent, duration of symptoms, and lens status) were comparable between the two groups. We found a statistically significant decrease in general vision (GV), ocular pain (OP), and driving (D) scores in the C₃F₈ group compared to the SF₆ group. The VFQ-25 composite score was comparable in the two groups. Similarly, all other subscales of the VFQ-25 did not differ significantly between the two groups. Age and BCVA did not significantly correlate with VFQ-25 composite and subscale scores.

CONCLUSION

Specific VFQ-25 subscales were decreased in patients with RRD treated with C₃F₈ as a gas tamponade compared to SF₆. This finding warrants further research in the tamponade agents used in PPV surgeries.

Five-Year Visual Acuity Outcomes of Fovea-Involving Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV) or Combined PPV/Scleral Buckle

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Macular involvement is considered a poor prognostic factor for visual recovery after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. Few prior studies report outcomes longer than 2 years after repair with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) or combined PPV/scleral buckle (SB). The purpose of this study is to evaluate long-term (at least 5 years) visual outcomes following fovea-involving RRD repair with PPV or PPV/SB.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This retrospective case series evaluated eyes that underwent fovea-involving RRD repair with PPV or PPV/SB. Eyes with single surgery anatomic success and 5 years or more of follow-up were included. Eyes with other ophthalmic pathology affecting central vision were excluded. Paired analysis compared changes in best visual acuity (BVA) between two timepoints.

RESULTS

Fifty-one eyes were included. Median (interquartile range, IQR) time to final follow-up was 7 (IQR: 3) years. Median pre-operatively BVA was 19.95 (IQR: 41.25) letters and improved to 80.15 (IQR:15.05) letters and 80.16 (IQR: 8.80) letters at the 1-year and final follow-up, respectively (P < 0.001). Thirteen of 45 eyes (28.89%) had an improvement in BVA of at least 10 letters from the 1-year to the final follow-up. Average BVA was 20/40 or better in 35/45 eyes (75.56%) at 1-year and 45/51 eyes (88.24%) at final follow-up. No eye had an average BVA of 20/200 or worse at final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with fovea-involving RRD successfully repaired with PPV or PPV/SB have favorable long-term visual acuity outcomes. BVA may continue to significantly improve even beyond 1 year after surgery. The majority of patients have a BVA of 20/40 or better 5 years after surgery. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022;53:674-680.].

Outer retinal features in OCT predict visual recovery after primary macula-involving retinal detachment repair

Purpose

To find predictive markers for the visual potential in optical coherence tomography (OCT) one month after surgical repair of macula-involving rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (miRD) with and without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling.

Methods

This retrospective single-center, single-surgeon cohort study included 74 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for primary miRD between January 2013 and August 2020 with follow-up examinations for at least 6 months. Patients developing recurrent detachments, media opacities, or with an axial length over 27 mm were excluded from the analysis. LogMAR visual (VA) and LogRAD reading acuity (RA) ± standard deviation (SD), and OCT measurements 6 months after surgery were compared to OCT and VA measurements one month after surgery using multiple linear regression analysis for predictions.

Results

VA increased from 0.34 ± 0.25 at one month to 0.22 ± 0.21 after 6 months [p < 0.001; effect size = -0.662, 95% confidence interval (CI): -(0.99–0.33)]. The continuity of the external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) increased between 1 and 6 months. Subfoveal ELM integrity after one month predicted VA [adjusted R² of 8.0%, F(2, 71) = 4.17, p = 0.018] and RA [adjusted R² of 29%, F(2, 27) = 6.81, p = 0.002] after 6 months. EZ integrity had a less pronounced predictive effect on VA and RA. ELM integrity after 1 month correlated with better reading acuity after 6 months (p = 0.016).

Conclusion

VA and morphological OCT parameters improve between 1 and 6 months after surgery for miRD. The grade of ELM is a better predictor for RA than for VA, explaining more variance.

ROLE OF OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FOR PREDICTING POSTOPERATIVE VISUAL OUTCOMES AFTER REPAIR OF MACULA-OFF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT

PURPOSE

To identify any prognostic associations between preoperative optical coherence tomography findings and postoperative visual outcomes in patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

METHODS

A retrospective, single-center study of patients diagnosed with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment whom underwent surgical reattachment from 2012 to 2017. Optical coherence tomography images were analyzed by two retina surgeons. Outcome measures included "good" final vision (best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better), "poor" final vision (best-corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or worse), and change in vision (worsened, improved, and improved ≥15 letters) at most recent follow-up. P values were calculated using t tests, analysis of variance, Wilcoxon rank-sum, or Kruskall-Wallis test.

RESULTS

A total of 49 eyes were included. There was a significant difference in the mean preoperative central retinal thickness between patients who had good final vision and patients who did not (96 μm vs. 161 μm, P = 0.048). In addition, a worse preoperative best-corrected visual acuity and greater subretinal fluid height were associated with vision improvement (P < 0.001). Those with persistent ellipsoid zone disruption postoperatively were less likely to have good final vision (odds ratio = 0.217, 95% confidence interval: 0.057-0.828).

CONCLUSION

A lower mean preoperative central retinal thickness is associated with good visual prognosis. Eyes with ellipsoid zone disruption postoperatively were less likely to have good final vision. Future studies should include a larger cohort of patients and more optical coherence tomography variables to address the inconsistencies in the current literature.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PREOPERATIVE FOVEAL MICROSTRUCTURE AND VISUAL ACUITY IN MACULA-OFF RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT: Imaging Analysis by Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE

To visualize foveal microstructures in macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using swept source optical coherence tomography preoperatively and postoperatively and to investigate the relationship between foveal microstructures and postoperative visual acuity.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 42 eyes of 42 consecutive patients diagnosed with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who underwent anatomically successful repair surgery and were followed up for 6 months. We used swept source optical coherence tomography to investigate the relationship between preoperative and postoperative continuity of both the external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (Ez) and preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity.

RESULTS

Both preoperative ELM and Ez were continuous in 9 eyes (21%; ELM+/Ez+ eyes), only the ELM was continuous in 25 eyes (60%; ELM+/Ez- eyes), and neither was continuous in 8 eyes (19%; ELM-/Ez- eyes). Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity in ELM+/Ez+ eyes (-0.05 ± 0.04 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units, Snellen equivalent 20/18) was significantly better than that in both ELM+/Ez- (0.16 ± 0.16, 20/29; P = 0.03) and ELM-/Ez- (0.86 ± 0.37, 20/145; P < 0.001) eyes. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was significantly better in ELM+/Ez- than in ELM-/Ez- eyes (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, preoperative continuity of the ELM and Ez may be a predictor of postoperative best-corrected visual acuity.

Impact of submacular fluid volume on visual outcome in macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using automated optical coherence tomography volumetric quantification

Background

We investigated effects of submacular fluid volume (SMFV) on visual outcomes following surgery for macula‐off primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) using automated fluid volumetric quantification with optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

We analysed 127 eyes that were surgically treated for macula‐off RRDs. We obtained preoperative images following the spectral domain (SD)‐OCT dense volume protocol, applied automated retinal segmentation and used an automated algorithm to quantify each eye's SMFV. We used multivariate models to identify various risk factors for impaired visual outcome.

Results

Linear regression showed that preoperative SMFV (ß = 0.013; P = .005) was significantly associated with a reduced visual outcome 12 months after the treatment of macula‐off RRDs. SMFV was negatively correlated with 12‐month postoperative (r = .311; P = .001) visual acuity (VA). The group with low preoperative SMFV (≤9.0 mm³) showed an increasing VA up to 12 months postoperatively (P < .001), while the VA did not increase in the group with high SMFV (>9.0 mm³) beyond 3 months of follow‐up. Patients with a high SMFV were 8.0 times more likely to have worse visual outcomes after 12 months of follow‐up (P = .018).

Conclusions

SMFV was negatively correlated with visual outcomes after the surgical treatment of macula‐off RRDs. Patients with SMFV <9.0 mm³ 12 months after surgery had an 8.0 times greater chance for better visual recovery than patients with high preoperative SMFV. Our findings highlight the efficacy of automated SMFV quantification in predicting surgical outcomes in patients with RRDs, which could be useful in future clinical practice and the development of research models.

Prognostic Factor Analysis of Visual Outcome after Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is a surgical approach mainly chosen for complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair with highly variable functional results. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the impact of preoperative factors and postoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) macular findings on the functional outcome of patients undergoing primary PPV for RRD. A retrospective analysis was performed on 88 eyes of 88 patients with complex RRD managed by PPV. A swept source OCT was used to obtain images at the postoperative visit at least 6 months after PPV. Hierarchical linear regression model was used to evaluate the influence of preoperative factors related to patient, ocular clinical and postoperative OCT macular findings on functional outcomes of PPV for RRD. Duration of symptoms (p = 0.031) and discontinuity of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) on OCT (p = 0.024) showed statistically significant negative correlation, while preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA; p < 0.001) showed statistically significant positive correlation to postoperative BCVA. Preoperative BCVA and duration of symptoms can be used as prognostic factors for visual outcome in patients undergoing PPV for RRD. Discontinuity of the EZ was the only postoperative OCT variable related to worse postoperative visual outcome.

Significance of outer retinal undulation on preoperative optical coherence tomography in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a vision-threatening pathology. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is useful for evaluating retinal damage and visual prognosis in patients with RRD. Outer retinal undulation (ORU) is often observed on preoperative OCT in RRD. Therefore, we evaluated the correlation between ORU seen on preoperative OCT and pre/post-operative factors in RRD. Patients with RRD (114 eyes) underwent reattachment surgery and ≥ 6 months of follow-up. According to the condition of the macula on preoperative OCT, cases were divided into macula-on RRD (65 eyes) or macula-off RRD (49 eyes). Patients were classified into acute (< 10 days), subacute (10–30 days), and chronic (> 30 days) symptom duration groups. Clinical findings, histories, and relationships with OCT findings, including ORU, were analyzed. Subacute symptom duration was significantly associated with ORU on preoperative OCT (p = 0.001) and had a higher prevalence of ORU (73.7%) than did acute (OR = 4.48) or chronic (OR = 7.467) durations. Ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption was significantly associated with poorer best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) than normal EZ integrity at 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.012). ORU on preoperative OCT suggests a 10–30 days morbidity duration in RRD. EZ integrity is useful for predicting postoperative BCVA in macula-off RRD.

[Retinal detachment surgery: Evaluation of the anatomical success and functional outcomes in a consecutive series of patients operated between 2011 and 2014 at Nantes University Medical Center]

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the anatomical and functional outcomes of retinal detachment (RD) surgery from January 2011 to November 2014.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 182 eyes of 175 patients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months, operated for RD at Nantes University Medical Center. It consists of 56 simple RDs and 126 complex RDs treated in first intention by Scleral Buckling (SB), vitrectomy or combined surgery. The analysis is based on anatomic reattachment at the end of a follow-up of at least 6 months after the first surgery and the progression of the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy-two vitrectomies, 15 SB and 5 combined surgeries (vitrectomy+SB) were performed. The overall anatomical success rate after a single operation was 131 eyes (72 %). It increased to 163 eyes (90 %) at the end of the follow-up. Depending on the type of RD, anatomic success at 6 months after surgery was achieved for 47 simple RDs (84 %) and 84 complex RDs (67 %). At the end of the follow-up, after one or more operations, these rates increased to 53 simple RDs (95 %) and 110 complex RDs (87 %). For all RDs with an anatomically successful result, we observed a visual improvement≥2 lines in 45 % of cases and a postoperative BCVA≥5/10 in 40 % of cases.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the evolution toward vitrectomy surgery for retinal detachment. It finds anatomical and functional results consistent with the literature, with a percentage of approximately 5 % of RDs still not reattached in spite of several operations.

Monitoring retinoschisis and non-acute retinal detachment by optical coherence tomography: morphologic aspects and clinical impact

PURPOSE

To differentiate retinoschisis (RS) from non-acute retinal detachment (naRD) in clinical routine using optical coherence tomography (OCT), describe unique morphological OCT characteristics and monitor disease progression.

METHODS

This prospective, observational study included 64 eyes of 44 patients with either RS or naRD. Patients were examined clinically and using Heidelberg Spectralis OCT^® , Topcon DRI OCT^® and Cirrus HRA-OCT^® over 2 years with follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Main outcomes were typical morphologic findings of RS and naRD described in OCT. Progression was monitored using Spectralis OCT^® follow-up mapping and an eye-tracking method.

RESULTS

Forty-seven eyes were diagnosed with RS and 17 with naRD. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provided a definite diagnosis in four eyes diagnosed clinically as uncertain. Seventy-seven percentage of eyes with RS were atrophic in the inner leaf (IL), whereas 41% with naRD showed cystoid alteration. A discontinuation of the IL clinically observed as an inner-layer break (ILB) could be imaged. We described a tissue retraction within the outer leaf (OL), which corresponded to outer-layer breaks (OLBs) in clinical examinations in nine eyes (19%).

CONCLUSION

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a reliable method to differentiate and monitor RS from naRD. Morphological characteristics, including ILB and OLB, could be accurately illustrated in RS.

Predictive factors for postoperative visual function of primary chronic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after scleral buckling

AIM

To evaluate predictive factors for postoperative visual function of primary chronic rhegmatgenous retinal detachment (RRD) after sclera buckling (SB).

METHODS

Totally 48 patients (51 eyes) with primary chronic RRD were included in this prospective interventional clinical cases study, which underwent SB alone from June 2008 to December 2014. Age, sex, symptoms duration, detached extension, retinal hole position, size, type, fovea on/off, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), baseline best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), operative duration, follow up duration, final BCVA were measured. Pearson correlation analysis, Spearman correlation analysis and multivariate linear stepwise regression were used to confirm predictive factors for better final visual acuity. Student's t-test, Wilcoxon two-sample test, Chi-square test and logistic stepwise regression were used to confirm predictive factors for better vision improvement.

RESULTS

Baseline BCVA was 0.8313±0.6911 logMAR and final BCVA was 0.4761±0.4956 logMAR. Primary surgical success rate was 92.16% (47/51). Correlation analyses revealed shorter symptoms duration (r=0.3850, P=0.0053), less detached area (r=0.5489, P<0.0001), fovea (r=0.4605, P=0.0007), no PVR (r=0.3138, P=0.0250), better baseline BCVA (r=0.7291, P<0.0001), shorter operative duration (r=0.3233, P=0.0207) and longer follow up (r=-0.3358, P=0.0160) were related with better final BCVA, while independent predictive factors were better baseline BCVA [partial R-square (PR(2))=0.5316, P<0.0001], shorter symptoms duration (PR(2)=0.0609, P=0.0101), longer follow up duration (PR(2)=0.0278, P=0.0477) and shorter operative duration (PR(2)=0.0338, P=0.0350). Patients with vision improvement took up 49.02% (25/51). Univariate and multivariate analyses both revealed predictive factors for better vision improvement were better baseline vision [odds ratio (OR) =50.369, P=0.0041] and longer follow up duration (OR=1.144, P=0.0067).

CONCLUSION

Independent predictive factors for better visual outcome of primary chronic RRD after SB are better baseline BCVA, shorter symptoms duration, shorter operative duration and longer follow up duration, while independent predictive factors for better vision improvement after operation are better baseline vision and longer follow up duration.

Recent Clinical Applications of Laser Speckle Flowgraphy in Eyes with Retinal Disease

Retinal diseases related to ischemia, such as diabetic retinopathy, are the main cause of blindness worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of these diseases remains unclear, as does the time course of associated changes in ocular blood flow. Laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG), which uses the laser speckle phenomenon to detect and quantify ocular circulation, is a promising candidate for a noninvasive method to measure ocular blood flow in living eyes. A recently developed LSFG measurement parameter, mean blur rate (MBR), can serve as a quantitative and reproducible index of retinal blood cell velocity. Mean blur rate can be used in the study of retinal diseases to evaluate microcirculation in the retinal vessels, choroid, and optic nerve head. In addition to overall MBR (MA), LSFG measurements of optic nerve head microcirculation can be divided into vessel-area MBR (MV) and tissue-area MBR (MT). Absolute values for MT have been shown to be linearly correlated with capillary blood flow, regardless of fundus pigmentation. Recently, there has been an increasing number of reports on the clinical applications of LSFG in retinal disease.