Clinical Ophthalmology (Oct 2020)
Influence of Perfluorocarbon Liquids on Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber–Layer Thickness Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy with Silicone Oil–Based Endotamponade
Abstract
Sundas Maqsood,1 Ahmed Abdou Hannon,2 Mohamed Elalfy,1,3,4 Ebrahim Salah Elborgy,5 Sherif Momtaz Hegazy5 1Corneo Plastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, Sussex, UK; 2Paediatric Ophthalmology Unit, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Cairo, Egypt; 3Cornea Unit, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Cairo, Egypt; 4Eye Unit, Maidstone and Turnbridge Wells Hospitals, Maidstone, Kent, UK; 5Retinal Surgical Unit, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Cairo, EgyptCorrespondence: Mohamed ElalfyResearch Institute of Ophthalmology, 2 El Ahram Street, Giza, Cairo 12557, EgyptTel +20 2-3571-8304Email [email protected]: Inner retina–layer modifications after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) can be objectively assessed through spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).Methods: This study explored prospectively changes in retinal nerve-fiber layer (RNFL) thickness with SD-OCT in eyes undergoing PPV with silicone oil–based tamponade with and without use of perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) during the early postoperative phase (up to 3 months) at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Egypt.Results: Thirty patients were recruited who underwent PPV and silicone oil–based tamponade for either retinal detachment or diabetic retinopathy between April 2019 and September 2019. Mean RNFL thickness showed no significant change during follow-up at the first week (102.90± 30.68 mm), 1 month (107.30± 32.27), or three months (105.90± 36.68; p=0.46, 0.68). There were significant correlations noticed between RNFL thinning and axial length of eyes, intraocular pressure, and use of PFCLs during the follow-up period.Conclusion: The RNFL tends to change postvitrectomy, but not significantly. Careful examination and consistent follow-up is required for postvitrectomy patients with larger axial length and intraoperative PFCL use.Keywords: pars plana vitrectomy, PPV, ganglion-cell complex, GCC, retinal nerve–fibre layer, RNFL, perfluorocarbon liquids, PFCL spectral domain optical coherence tomography, SD-OCT
