Optical coherence tomography angiography changes after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and its correlation to visual outcome

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the capillary vessel density (CVD) and the flow of superficial and deep capillary plexuses (SCP and DCP) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and to correlate these changes with the visual outcome. Patients and methods This is a prospective interventional study that was conducted on 17 eyes with macula-off RRD. All patients underwent 23-G vitrectomy with silicone oil (SO) injection. OCTA was performed 1 month after SO removal. The outcome measures included the CVD, SCP arcade disruption, capillary dropout, SCP and DCP disorganization, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results There was a statistically significantly less density of the mean DCP (40.82±6.87%, P=0.03), and the mean SCP (38.95±6.75%, P=0.007) in the operated eye compared to the fellow eye. The central foveal thickness (CFT) was statistically significantly higher in the operated eye (309.06±92.12 μm) compared to the fellow eye (242.29±25.48 μm), (P=0.019). The SCP capillary arcade disruption was statistically significantly more frequent in the operated eyes (12=70.6%) especially in the eyes with subretinal fluid (SRF) (P=0.049) and those with cystoid spaces (P=0.049). Conclusion The CVD, excluding the fovea, was significantly worse in the operated eyes. The SCP arcade disruption, capillary dropout, and SCP and DCP disorganization were detected in most patients following RRD repair, but with no significant correlation with BCVA.

Keywords

• capillary vessel density
• deep capillary plexus
• foveal avascular zone
• optical coherence tomography angiography
• rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
• superficial capillary plexus