Comparative analysis of metamorphopsia and aniseikonia after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane, macular hole, or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

VALIDATION OF M-CHARTS FOR QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF METAMORPHOPSIA FOLLOWING RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR

PURPOSE

To validate the quantitative assessment of metamorphopsia in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) using M-CHARTS by determining its correlation with subjective reporting of metamorphopsia with a validated metamorphopsia questionnaire (modified MeMoQ).

METHODS

The Research Ethics Board approved a prospective observational study carried out at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada. Patients with primary, unilateral RRD and healthy controls were included. Metamorphopsia at 3 months was assessed with modified MeMoQ and M-CHARTS.

RESULTS

One hundred patients (50 with RRD, 50 controls) were included. Seventy percent (35/50) of the RRD group had metamorphopsia with M-CHARTS and 80% (40/50) with MeMoQ. The modified MeMoQ and total M-CHARTS scores were significantly higher in patients with RRD compared with controls ( P < 0.0001). Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficient was 0.934 in the RRD group. Horizontal, vertical, and total M-CHARTS scores were significantly correlated with MeMoQ scores (r s  = 0.465, P = 0.0007; r s  = 0.405, P = 0.004; r s  = 0.475, P = 0.0005, respectively). M-CHARTS was 72.7% sensitive and 94.6% specific for detection of metamorphopsia (positive score ≥ 0.2), with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.801. A stronger correlation was found in patients who scored ≥0.2 on the M-CHARTS and reported metamorphopsia with the MeMoQ (r s  = 0.454, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The authors have validated M-CHARTS as a tool to quantitatively assess metamorphopsia in patients with RRD, which is significantly correlated with patient-reported outcomes using the MeMoQ. A total score of ≥0.2 with M-CHARTS was more strongly correlated with MeMoQ.

Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling and Inverted Flap Technique in Macular Hole: Postoperative Metamorphopsia and Optical Coherence Tomography

INTRODUCTION

We compared postoperative metamorphopsia and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings between eyes that underwent internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and the inverted flap (IF) technique for macular hole (MH).

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 64 eyes of 64 patients with idiopathic MH whose MH was closed after initial surgery. Thirty-nine patients were treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with ILM peeling, and 25 patients were treated with PPV with the IF technique. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), severity of metamorphopsia, and OCT images were collected before and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Based on the OCT images, the status of the external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone and the presence of hyperreflective plugs were assessed.

RESULTS

At baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, BCVA and severity of metamorphopsia were not significantly different between groups. The status of the ELM was significantly worse in the IF group than in the ILM peeling group at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Significantly more hyperreflective plugs were observed in the IF group than in the ILM peeling group at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Stepwise multiregression analysis revealed that hyperreflective plugs were significantly associated with the severity of metamorphopsia at 12 months postoperatively.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

The alterations on the OCT were fewer in the ILM peeling group than in the IF group, while no significant differences were observed in postoperative severity of metamorphopsia between groups. Metamorphopsia was worse in eyes with hyperreflective plugs.

Incidence of Metamorphopsia After Successful Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSES

To investigate the incidence and factors influencing the occurrence of metamorphopsia in patients with simple rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after surgery.

METHODS

Relevant studies of metamorphopsia were identified by searching in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane until August 2022. Meta-analysis of the incidence of metamorphopsia after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery was performed using Review Manager 5.4 statistical software.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies reported 1133 participants with 469 patients with postoperative metamorphopsia. The meta-analysis showed a higher incidence of metamorphopsia in macular-off cases compared with macular-on RRD (RR = 2.88, 95% CI: 2.35 to 3.52). The use of perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) reduced the incidence of metamorphopsia (RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41 to 0.92). There was no evidence of any important difference in metamorphopsia between participants in the PPV group and the scleral buckling (SB) group (RR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.82 to 1.33). There was little or no difference in metamorphopsia between gas and silicon oil (SO) in the PPV group (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.69 to 1.13).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of postoperative metamorphopsia is higher in macular-off RRD, and PFCL should be a preferred choice to prevent postoperative metamorphopsia in macula-off RRD cases.

VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL METAMORPHOPSIA ONE YEAR AFTER SURGERY FOR MACULAR HOLES ≤ 500 µ m WITH AND WITHOUT INVERTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of an inverted internal limiting membrane flap (IF) and other factors on metamorphopsia after macular hole surgery.

METHODS

Prospective case series of patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy with gas tamponade, with either conventional internal limiting membrane peeling (CP) or an IF, for primary idiopathic macular holes ≤ 500 µ m. Vertical and horizontal metamorphopsia were measured as M-scores (degrees) using M-charts preoperatively and at 2, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Fifty-three eyes of 53 patients were included of whom 27 underwent CP and 26 were treated with an IF. After macular hole surgery, all patients were pseudophakic. Vertical and horizontal metamorphopsia improved from 1.08 (±0.51) and 0.98 (±0.70) preoperatively to 0.58 (±0.37) and 0.45 (±0.36) at 2 months ( P < 0.01), with no further significant improvement at 6 months (0.39 [±0.31], P = 0.07 and 0.31 [±0.28], P = 0.18) or at 12 months (0.37 [±0.30], P = 0.72 and 0.28 [±0.28], P = 0.99). There was no significant difference in the mean vertical and horizontal metamorphopsia between patients with CP and with an IF at 2 months ( P = 0.063, P = 0.10), 6 months ( P = 0.25, P = 0.16), or 12 months ( P = 0.62, P = 0.22). Preoperative vertical M-score improved at 12 months after macular hole surgery by 61% and 64% in the CP and IF groups, respectively ( P = 0.84), and the horizontal M-score by 65% and 71%, respectively ( P = 0.98).

CONCLUSION

The use of an IF has no evident bearing on the degree of postoperative metamorphopsia 12 months after surgical repair of macular holes ≤ 500 µ m.

PREVALENCE AND MORPHOLOGIC BIOMARKERS OF METAMORPHOPSIA IN EYES WITH "RESOLVED" CHRONIC CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY

PURPOSE

To assess relationships between demographics, clinical characteristics, and optical coherence tomography characteristics with persistence of metamorphopsia after resolution of subretinal fluid in eyes with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

METHODS

One-hundred participants with "resolved" (absence of subretinal fluid) chronic central serous chorioretinopathy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, including assessment of the presence of metamorphopsia. At the study visit, optical coherence tomography scans were reviewed for qualitative and quantitative features.

RESULTS

Sixty-six of 100 patients (66.0%) complained of metamorphopsia. Both the foveal and parafoveal ganglion cell complex thicknesses were thinner in central serous chorioretinopathy eyes with metamorphopsia (35.1 ± 10.6 µ m and 82.0 ± 18.1 µ m vs. 40.7 ± 11.8 µ m and 93.1 ± 13.5 µ m, P = 0.030 and P < 0.0001). In the foveal region, the outer plexiform layer and outer nuclear layer thicknesses were thinner in patients with metamorphopsia (24.6 ± 8.5 µ m and 63.1 ± 20.9 µ m vs. 29.1 ± 8.7 and 76.2 ± 18.2 µ m, P = 0.016 and P = 0.005). The ellipsoid zone band was more frequently discontinued in eyes with metamorphopsia (56.1% vs. 35.3%, P = 0.039). Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis demonstrated that the strongest associations with the presence of metamorphopsia were with parafoveal ganglion cell complex thickness ( P = 0.004), foveal outer nuclear layer thickness ( P = 0.010), and number of previous recurrences of subretinal fluid accumulation ( P = 0.017). The time interval from the last subretinal fluid resolution was not associated with the presence of metamorphopsia.

CONCLUSION

In "resolved" central serous chorioretinopathy, clinical aspects (i.e., number of previous recurrences) and structural changes (i.e., ganglion cell complex and outer nuclear layer thinning) are associated with metamorphopsia after subretinal fluid resolution.

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY MORPHOLOGY AFTER RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR: ALIGN Post Hoc Analysis

PURPOSE

To compare foveal avascular zone (FAZ) geometric indices using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in pneumatic retinopexy (PnR) versus pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). FAZ morphology was assessed as a possible imaging feature of retinal displacement.

METHODS

This ALIGN post hoc analysis included primary fovea-off RRDs that underwent successful PnR or PPV, and performed OCTA, and fundus autofluorescence at (FAF) 3 months postoperatively at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada. FAZ area (mm 2 ), axial ratio, circularity, and roundness were measured, and FAF images were assessed for retinal displacement.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients were included, 78% (56/72) were male mean age was 60 ± 9 years, and 60% (43/72) were phakic. Sixty-five percent (47/72) and 35% (25/72) underwent PnR and PPV, respectively. The mean baseline logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity was 1.49 ± 0.76. FAZ circularity was lower after PPV (0.629 ± 0.120) versus PnR (0.703 ± 0.122); P = 0.016. Sixty-six patients had gradable FAF images. Retinal displacement was present in 29% (19/66), 84.2% (16/19) of which had displacement in the macula. FAZ circularity was lower in eyes with displacement in the macula (0.613 ± 0.110) versus those without displacement (0.700 ± 0.124); P = 0.015. There was a moderate negative correlation between 12-month aniseikonia and FAZ circularity(r = -0.262; P = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

FAZ circularity was lower after PPV and in eyes with retinal displacement in the macula. Circularity was negatively correlated with 12-month aniseikonia scores. FAZ circularity may be another imaging feature to consider postoperatively after RRD repair.

Vision-Related Parameters Affecting Stereopsis after Retinal Detachment Surgery

Even after successful surgery, the stereopsis of retinal detachment (RD) patients is inferior to that of normal subjects. However, it is unclear which visual dysfunction in the affected eye is responsible for the postoperative stereopsis impairment. This study included 127 patients after successful surgery for unilateral RD. Stereopsis, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), severity of metamorphopsia, letter contrast sensitivity and amount of aniseikonia were examined at 6-month postoperatively. Stereopsis was assessed using the Titmus Stereo Test (TST) and TNO stereotest (TNO). Postoperative stereopsis (log) in patients with RD were 2.09 ± 0.46 in the TST and 2.56 ± 0.62 in the TNO. Multivariate analysis with stepwise regression revealed postoperative TST was associated with BCVA, and TNO was associated with BCVA, letter contrast sensitivity, metamorphopsia and absolute values of aniseikonia. In a subgroup analysis that selected those with more impaired stereopsis, postoperative TST was associated with BCVA (p < 0.001), and TNO was associated with letter contrast sensitivity (p < 0.005) and absolute values of aniseikonia (p < 0.05) by multivariate analysis. Deterioration of stereopsis after RD surgery was affected by a variety of visual dysfunctions. The TST was affected by visual acuity, while the TNO was affected by contrast sensitivity and aniseikonia.

Prevalence and predictors of metamorphopsia after successful vitrectomy surgery for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

AIM

To estimate metamorphopsia prevalence, predictors and etiologies in patients operated for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with detached macula with successful results.

METHODS

Retrospective study including 50 eyes of 50 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for RRD with detached macula with standard silicone oil (SO) tamponade. Patients who had successful surgery with durable anatomic reapplication of the retina after SO removal were included. Patients were examined on day 1, day 7,1 month, and 3 months after surgery. Best corrected visual acuity, Amsler grid, fundus biomicroscopy, Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus auto-fluorescence (FAF) were performed in all patients after surgery. Structural abnormalities such as macular folds, macular epiretinal membrane, cystoid macular edema, and foveal disruption of the ellipsoid layer were observed on SD-OCT. Macular displacement was identified on FAF.

RESULTS

We identified metamorphopsia as post-operative visual impairment in 27 patients among 50 (54%). Clinical assessment found that a delay > 7 days between symptoms and surgery (p < 0.001), more than 2 detached quadrants (p=0.012), and stage C of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (p=0.035) were associated to metamorphopsia. Regarding multimodal imaging findings, only macular folds and macular displacement were significantly correlated with the occurrence of postoperative metamorphopsia (p <0.001).

CONCLUSION

Metamorphopsia is a common complaint after vitrectomy for RRD. Macular rotation and folds would be the main causes after complete and durable reapplication of the retina.

[Disorders of the visual system following vitreoretinal and macular surgery]

The visual system is highly complex. Monocular or binocular disorders can develop, for example during tractive alterations of the macula, such as in epimacular membranes, and result in symptoms, such as double vision, aniseikonia or metamorphopsia. These symptoms are also observed following vitreomacular or vitreoretinal surgery, especially after treatment of large retinal detachment involving the macular area using pars plana vitrectomy or scleral buckle surgery but also as a result of vitreomacular interventions, such as membrane peeling in epimacular gliosis. Some patients have preoperatively existing latent conditions, which are not explicitly addressed during routine preoperative diagnostics. For patients and surgeons it is worth noting that these troublesome symptoms are often manifested in patients with good restoration of best corrected visual acuity following vitreomacular surgery. In such cases, patients tend to be dissatisfied with the surgical result despite good visual acuity. Treatment of postoperative metamorphopsia, aniseikonia and double vision is often difficult. In clinical studies, the maximum depth of tractive retinal folds has been described as a reliable morphological biomarker for the occurrence of metamorphopsia in epimacular gliosis. As metamorphopsia tends to postoperatively resolve slowly and even persist in ca. 30% of cases, this biomarker can have an impact on preoperative consulting and postoperative monitoring. Persistent binocular discomfort is often treatable by exact refraction correction and by applying a vertical and, if necessary, a horizontal prism. This often requires patience on the part of both the patient and the physician but is mostly successful due to fusion and adaptability.

Scleral Buckling: A Look at the Past, Present and Future in View of Recent Findings on the Importance of Photoreceptor Re-Alignment Following Retinal Re-Attachment

Scleral buckling (SB) remains an important technique to master for those interested in treating rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Several ways to repair RRD include pneumatic retinopexy (PR), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), SB or a combination of these. There is a growing worldwide trend that favors PPV as the preferred method for retinal reattachment of primary uncomplicated RRD. Reimbursement issues, operating room access, and technological advances in PPV that improve retinal visualization and less exposure to SB during fellowship training may explain this trend. As the number of SB cases decreases over time, there is a risk that SB becomes a dying art and surgeons in training may not be trained in SB. SB is preferred in eyes with no posterior vitreous detachment and retinal dialysis. SB with minimal gas vitrectomy may be indicated for eyes with inferior pathology. Non-contact wide-angled visualization with chandelier assisted SB may be well suited for teaching new generations of aspiring vitreoretinal surgeons. Its functional and anatomic results compare favorably with conventional SB for primary uncomplicated primary RRD. The main advantage of this technique is the improved visualization even through small pupils. Better visualization ensures treatment of all breaks while avoiding complications during drainage of subretinal fluid and a safer placement of intrascleral sutures for scleral fixation of the buckling element. Recordings of the procedure are easily performed, allowing the surgeons involved to review the case and learn from it. The main disadvantage is the cost involved with the chandelier and the need to have a microscope or a 3D system with a wide angle viewing system. Photoreceptor re-alignment following retinal re-attachment is an important determinant of the post-operative functional outcomes. Different methods of retinal re-attachment apparently result in different degrees of photoreceptor re-alignment. SB may hold an advantage over PPV in this regard.

The contribution of the proximity of the retinal detachment to the fovea for postoperative metamorphopsia after 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy for the primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Purpose

To investigate clinical factors contributing to metamorphopsia after 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (27GPPV) for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) to reveal whether the proximity of the preoperative retinal detachment to the fovea is associated with postoperative metamorphopsia.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 77 eyes of 77 patients after 27GPPV for RRD. Patients were subdivided into three groups using optical coherence tomography findings: Group A, patients with RRD outside the vascular arcade; Group B, patients whose condition was present within the vascular arcade, but without foveal detachment; and Group C, patients with foveal detachment.

Results

The average metamorphopsia score (°) assessed with M-charts 12 months after surgery was 0.01 ± 0.04 in Group A (24 eyes), 0.08 ± 0.18 in Group B (20 eyes), and 0.49 ± 0.48 in Group C (33 eyes) (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that metamorphopsia at 12 months after surgery significantly correlated with the proximity of the retinal detachment to the fovea (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Metamorphopsia after 27GPPV for RRD correlated with the proximity of the preoperative retinal detachment to the fovea. Attention should be paid to the possibility of postoperative metamorphopsia development when retinal detachment is present within a vascular arcade even if the fovea is not involved.

Relationship Between Optical Coherence Tomography Parameter and Visual Function in Eyes With Epiretinal Membrane

Purpose

To investigate the associations between visual function and the optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters in eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM).

Methods

Thirty-nine consecutive eyes with ERM were enrolled. In addition to OCT parameters, such as central retinal thickness (CRT), the area of gap between the ERM and the retinal surface (SUKIMA) was newly defined and calculated from the vertical and horizontal OCT images (SUKIMAv and SUKIMAh). The average of SUKIMAv and SUKIMAh (SUKIMAave) was used for the statistical analysis. The vertical and horizontal metamorphopsia scores (MV, MH) and the average of MV and MH (Mave) were also used for the analysis.

Results

The Mave was not significantly associated with logMAR visual acuity (VA) (P = 0.57, linear regression analysis). Analysis using second-order bias-corrected Akaike information criterion model selection identified the age, CRT, and SUKIMAave as being associated with logMAR VA. On the other hand, among the OCT parameters, SUKIMAave and CRT were associated with the Mave. In addition, there was a significant relationship between SUKIMAh and MV (P = 0.011) and between SUKIMAv and MH (P = 0.0014).

Conclusions

We identified SUKIMA as a novel OCT parameter that is useful to predict both VA and metamorphopsia in patients with ERM.

[Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) minimal: same, same but different. Characteristics and surgical treatment of PVR-associated macular pucker]

BACKGROUND

Epiretinal membrane formation resulting in a macular pucker is among the typical complications associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in retinal detachment and has a major impact on the functional outcome after surgical treatment.

METHODS

A literature search was carried out in PubMed.

RESULTS

Approaches to the surgical treatment of PVR-associated macular pucker include complete membrane removal within the vascular arcades aimed at relieving retinal traction at the posterior pole and peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM). As a further option it has been suggested that primary ILM peeling in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair may reduce or even prevent postoperative epiretinal membrane formation. In addition, correct timing of surgery is a factor that may contribute to successful treatment.

DISCUSSION

Due to the particularly strong adhesion and the frequent occurrence of concurrent retinal detachment, the surgical approach to PVR-associated macular pucker is particularly challenging. As with idiopathic epiretinal membranes, surgical removal has the potential to improve functional outcomes; however, visual improvement depends largely on whether the macula was involved in the original retinal detachment.