Metamorphopsia after surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Abstract

Improvements in surgical techniques have led to 90% success in the surgical repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). However, anatomical reattachment of the retina does not ensure complete recovery of visual function. The incidence of metamorphopsia remains the most common postoperative complaint, from 24% to 88.6%. Currently, the risk factors of metamorphopsia are categorized into macular involvement, retinal shift, outer retinal folds, subretinal fluid, secondary epiretinal membrane, outer retinal layer damage, and surgical approach. The associations of metamorphopsia with postoperative best-corrected visual acuity and postoperative vision-related quality of life were still controversial. The most popular methods for assessment of metamorphopsia remain the Amsler grid and M-Charts. Most treatments cannot progress beyond the management of negative visual sensations, through methods such as occlusion therapy and aniseikonia-correcting spectacles. The main treatment approach involves RRD prevention and the management of risk factors that can lead to postoperative metamorphopsia after RRD repair. Additional research concerning metamorphopsia treatment, further upgrades of auxiliary inspection methods, and more accurate microstructural assessments are needed to address this common complication.

Keywords

• retinal detachment
• rhegmatogenous retinal detachment
• metamorphopsia
• visual distortion