Fundus autofluorescence and spectral domain optical coherence tomography as predictors for long-term functional outcome in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Optical Coherence Tomography in Retinal Detachment: Prognostic Biomarkers, Surgical Planning, and Postoperative Monitoring

Retinal detachment (RD) is a vision-threatening ocular emergency that necessitates rapid diagnosis and intervention. This review examines the evolving role of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in RD by synthesizing the literature on preoperative biomarkers and advanced image modalities that inform diagnosis, prognosis, and surgical planning. We evaluated studies employing spectral-domain OCT, swept-source OCT, OCT angiography, adaptive optics OCT, and en face OCT to assess photoreceptor integrity, retinal detachment height, intraretinal cystic cavities, outer retinal corrugations and undulation, and macular involvement. The incorporation of OCT assessment into clinical practice may facilitate more precise surgical timing, technique selection, and postoperative monitoring. Further research is needed to standardize imaging protocols and validate specific prognostic biomarkers for optimal surgical outcomes. Key aspects include uniform imaging protocols, validating OCT-derived biomarkers such as ellipsoid zone integrity, and correlating OCT metrics with functional outcomes.

Macular changes after primary retinectomy for retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Primary retinectomy in eyes not previously vitrectomized has been previously rarely performed in a minority of cases, unlike non-primary retinectomies in vitrectomized eyes.

BACKGROUND

This paper aims to determine anatomical and functional outcomes of primary retinectomy, and to assess structural macular changes among successful cases.

METHODS

In this retrospective multicentre cohort-study, 35 primary retinectomies in eyes undergoing initial vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy C or D between 2014 and 2021 were included. The mean follow-up duration was 48 ± 59.24 months among successes and 46.54 ± 20.99 months among unsuccesses (p = 0.483).

RESULTS

The anatomical success rate was 48.5% after one retinectomy and 60% after two retinectomies. Mean postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.85 ± 0.62 logMAR (6/425 Snellen equivalent). The difference from mean preoperative BCVA was not significant (p = 0.312). Final BCVA ≥ 6/60 was achieved in 17% of cases, and no cases gained ≥6/24. Final mean postoperative BCVA of successes was 1.69 ± 0.60 logMAR (6/294 Snellen equivalent) compared with 2.10 ± 0.57 logMAR (6/756 Snellen equivalent) of unsuccessful cases (p = 0.101). Post-operative macular optical coherence tomography was obtained from 95% of successes. Normal macular profile was found in 10% of cases, and the other cases demonstrated exudative maculopathy (60%), tractional maculopathy (20%) and macular atrophy (10%). Final BCVA was significantly higher in eyes with normal macular status compared to eyes with exudative maculopathy (p = 0.045) and macular atrophy (p = 0.025).

CONCLUSION

Primary retinectomy may be used for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated with advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Anatomical and functional outcome were inferior than non-primary retinectomies for grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Functional outcome was influenced by macular status. Positive prognostic factors include final anatomical success and normal final macular anatomy.

Visual loss in surgical retinal disease: retinal imaging and photoreceptor cell counts

Vision loss after detachment of the neurosensory retina is a complex process which is not fully understood. Clinical factors have been identified which contribute to loss of macular function after retinal detachment and laboratory studies have played an important role in understanding the cellular and subcellular pathological processes which underlie the loss of visual function. As clinical imaging has advanced, multiple studies have focused on identifying and correlating clinicopathological features with visual outcomes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography angiography and adaptive optics studies have contributed to the understanding of the anatomical changes in relation to clinical outcomes. A clear understanding of the macular pathology of retinal detachment is fundamental to develop strategies to improve outcomes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and analogous retinal diseases where macular neurosensory retinal detachment is part of the pathology. This review assesses the evidence from experimental and pathological studies together with clinical imaging analyses (optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography angiography and adaptive optics) and the contribution of these studies to our understanding of visual outcomes.

PRO score: predictive scoring system for visual outcomes after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To compare risk factors for poor visual outcomes in patients undergoing primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair and to develop a scoring system.

METHODS

Analysis of the Primary Retinal detachment Outcomes (PRO) study, a multicentre interventional cohort of consecutive primary RRD surgeries performed in 2015. The main outcome measure was a poor visual outcome (Snellen VA ≤20/200).

RESULTS

A total of 1178 cases were included. The mean preoperative and postoperative logMARs were 1.1±1.1 (20/250) and 0.5±0.7 (20/63), respectively. Multivariable logistic regression identified preoperative risk factors predictive of poor visual outcomes (≤20/200), including proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.40), history of antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (1.38; 1.11 to 1.71), >1-week vision loss (1.17; 1.08 to 1.27), ocular comorbidities (1.18; 1.00 to 1.38), poor presenting VA (1.06 per initial logMAR unit; 1.02 to 1.10) and age >70 (1.13; 1.04 to 1.23). The data were split into training (75%) and validation (25%) and a scoring system was developed and validated. The risk for poor visual outcomes was 8% with a total score of 0, 17% with 1, 29% with 2, 47% with 3, and 71% with 4 or higher.

CONCLUSIONS

Independent risk factors were compared for poor visual outcomes after RRD surgery, which included PVR, anti-VEGF injections, vision loss >1 week, ocular comorbidities, presenting VA and older age. The PRO score was developed to provide a scoring system that may be useful in clinical practice.

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.].

Optical Coherence Tomography Findings in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: A Systematic Review

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a sight-threatening condition that may lead to blindness if left untreated. Surgical treatments may vary and are tailored to a single patient. Anatomical and functional results may vary, due to factors that are currently under study. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows a detailed visualization of the retinal structure. Some studies have been performed using OCT on eyes with retinal detachment. We performed a review on the subject. Several data have been obtained using different OCT applications. Some alterations may represent potential biomarkers since they are associated with visual and anatomical prognoses. Increased knowledge on the subject may be helpful to choose among different surgical strategies and endotamponades. More research on the topic is needed.

Early Structural and Vascular Changes after Within-24 Hours Vitrectomy for Recent Onset Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Treatment: A Pilot Study Comparing Bisected Macula and Not Bisected Macula

Background: In this study we aimed at investigating macular perfusion/anatomical changes in eyes with early onset rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after prompt surgery within 24 hours, comparing a bisected macula and not bisected macula RRD. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 14 eyes of 14 patients who underwent within-24 hours vitreoretinal surgery for early onset RRD were enrolled. Patients were further divided into two subgroups: the not bisected macula group (NBM group) and the bisected macula group (BM group). At baseline and 3-month follow up, macular architecture and vessel analysis were assessed using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) imaging. In detail, quantitative and qualitative analyses of the macular area were performed to quantify topographical retinal perfusion changes after surgery, calculating the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vessel density (VD) and vessel length density (VLD) at the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP). Results: Most cases (43%) were superotemporal RRD. Primary retinal reattachment was obtained in all cases, without recurrences within 3-month follow up. After surgery, a significant FAZ enlargement was observed at both the SCP and DCP level (p < 0.001; p < 0.05), with a significant effect of time noted between the two time points in the NBM and BM subanalysis (F = 3.68; p < 0.017). An excellent functional outcome was maintained for the whole follow-up. On the other hand, after surgery, perfusion parameters did not change significantly apart from the vessel density of the inferior macular sector at the DCP level (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the macular perfusion of eyes with RRD is still preserved if the surgery is performed really promptly, thus highlighting the great importance of a correct timing for surgery. OCTA analysis allows for a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underneath early vascular microarchitecture modifications of the posterior pole in retinal detachment, differentiating the two types of RRD not completely involving the fovea (BM and NBM).

Autofluorescence Imaging in the Long-Term Follow-Up of Scleral Buckling Surgery for Retinal Detachment

Purpose

To analyse fundus autofluorescence (AF) changes in retinal reattachment following primary scleral buckling (SB) surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

Methods

Prospective noninterventional chart review study. AF images were reviewed for peripheral and central changes and compared to clinical and OCT findings.

Results

A total of 73 eyes from 69 patients were included, four presenting with bilateral RRD. Mean age was 55 ± 12 years, male/female ratio 40/29, fovea-on/-off RRD 43/30, and mean follow-up time 376 ± 270 days, with a mean of 5 ± 3 postoperative visits. Preoperatively, RRD was seen as a hypofluorescent area with a hyperfluorescent leading edge. Immediately postoperatively, three types of cryopexy could be differentiated, gradually transforming to scleral hyperfluorescence. Buckle tightening produced alternating hyper-/hypofluorescent streaks, and demarcation lines showed a persistent rugged hyperfluorescent signal. Choroidal detachment led to transient hypofluorescence, whereas vortex vein compression induced persistent hypofluorescence. Peripheral retinal folds were hyperfluorescent and the drainage site was hypofluorescent. AF was highly sensitive in detecting even small amounts of hyperfluorescent persistent subretinal fluid (SRF) that showed a slow resolution during follow-up. A granular “salt-and-pepper-” like pattern in the central macula was seen in 80% of eyes with fovea-off RRD and alternating streaks in 10%. Findings from OCT imaging correlated well with AF regarding SRF, macular oedema, retinal pigment epithelial detachment, and presence of a subretinal scar, but only moderately in epiretinal membrane formation and choroidal folds.

Conclusions

AF is a useful, noninvasive, adjuvant tool in the long-term follow-up after SB surgery.

Macular edema after surgical treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment – the possibilities of its prediction

The aim: to develop a mathematical model for predicting macular edema based on the informativeness of clinical and instrumental predictors of its occurrence.Materials and methods. To determine the risk factors for macular edema 64 patients (64 eyes) with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (grade Cp 1–2) were selected. A retrospective analysis of the surgical treatment results was carried out. The age of the patients ranged from 30 to 81 years (28 women and 36 men).Results. Using regression analysis, two signifi cant factors were identifi ed: the sum of 8 meridians of the visual fi eld before surgery (p = 0.015) and the number of detached quadrants (p = 0.021). Based on the identifi ed factors, a model was obtained for predicting the occurrence of macular edema in the postoperative period for the patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Conclusion. Based on the analysis of clinical and instrumental indicators in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, a mathematical model has been developed that allows predicting the occurrence of macular edema in the postoperative period.The application of the proposed prediction model makes it possible to determine the tactics of treatment (peeling of internal limiting membrane) and predict the appearance of macular edema at the preoperative stage.

STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL MACULAR CHANGES AFTER RETINECTOMY FOR RETINAL DETACHMENT COMPLICATED BY PROLIFERATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY

PURPOSE

To report anatomical and functional outcomes of nonprimary retinectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with Grade C proliferative vitreoretinopathy, to assess the structural and functional macular changes in successful eyes.

METHODS

Retrospective single-center cohort study: one hundred-one consecutive retinectomies of 101 eyes affected by rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with C proliferative vitreoretinopathy between January 2014 and February 2020 were included.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.48 ± 0.71 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (20/604 Snellen equivalent). The anatomical success rate was 78.2% after one retinectomy and 83.1% after two retinectomies. The final BCVA ≥ 20/200 was achieved in 29% of cases, 8% gained ≥ 20/80. The final mean postoperative BCVA of successes with oil in situ was 1.68 ± 0.59 (20/957 Snellen equivalent) compared with 1.07 ± 0.63 logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (20/235 Snellen equivalent) of successes after oil removal (P = 0.00005). Postoperative macular optical coherence tomography was obtained from 60/84 successes (71%). The normal macular profile was found in 3%, whereas majority demonstrated exudative maculopathy (51.5%), macular atrophy (22%), tractional maculopathy (21.5%), and macular disciform scar (2%). Bivariate linear relationship between final central foveal thickness and BCVA was statistically significant (P = 0.000013).

CONCLUSION

Satisfactory anatomical and functional outcome is possible after retinectomy for C proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Positive prognostic factors include the removal of oil without redetachment, normal macular status, and lower central foveal thickness. The functional outcome was influenced by macular changes, as final BCVA and central foveal thickness correlated.

Macular edema risk factors after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy

BACKGROUND: Despite significant advances in the technology of surgical treatment of regmatogenous retinal detachment, a certain proportion of patients with emerging macular edema against the background of silicone oil tamponade remains. AIM: To evaluate the risk factors of macular edema development and to work out a mathematical model for its prediction based on a retrospective analysis of clinical data of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series of 64 patients (64 eyes) with regmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by grade CP proliferative vitreoretinopathy who underwent primary retinal detachment repair. Patients were divided into two groups: with the presence of macular edema in the postoperative period and without it (32 patients in each group). In all cases, at the initial examination, retinal detachment involved the macular area. RESULTS: Using regression analysis, two significant factors were identified: the sum of the 8 meridians of the visual field before surgery (p=0.015) and the number of detached quadrants (p=0.021). Based on the identified factors, a model for predicting macular edema occurrence in the postoperative period in the surgical treatment of regmatogenous retinal detachment was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: The investigation results allowed establishing that the retinal detachment area and the sum of the 8 meridians of the visual field are significant pre-operative factors for macular edema development in retinal detachments with proliferative vitreoretinopathy of CP 1-2 degree. The developed mathematical model based on these indicators is characterized by significant information content and allows predicting macular edema occurrence in the postoperative period. The use of the proposed prognostic model determines a differentiated approach to surgical prevention of macular edema and allows making a decision on the removal of internal limiting membrane at the preoperative stage.

FLUORESCENCE LIFETIME IMAGING OPHTHALMOSCOPY: Findings After Surgical Reattachment of Macula-Off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

This study confirms that fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy is able to identify and quantify macular alterations after surgical reattachment of macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment that relate to visual acuity. Fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy could be a useful noninvasive diagnostic tool to assess eyes after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair.

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy lifetimes after macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair.

Methods:

Fifty-eight patients with successful macula-off RRD reattachment surgery were included. Retinal autofluorescence was excited with 470 nm, and amplitude-weighted mean fluorescence lifetimes (Tm) were measured in a short spectral channel (SSC, 498–560 nm) and a long spectral channel (LSC, 560–720 nm). Tm were obtained within a standardized Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid and correlated with Tm. The unaffected fellow eye served as control.

Results:

Fifty-eight patients (age: 65 ± 1.6 years, 11 women) were imaged at median 1.5 months postoperatively. Tm were significantly prolongxxxed within areas of previously detached retina in the long spectral channel and particularly in the central subfield in the short spectral channel. Short lifetimes in the center of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid correlated with better visual acuity (short spectral channel; r² = 0.18, P = 0.001, long spectral channel; r² = 0.08, P = 0.03). Areas of residual subretinal fluid pockets in four RRD eyes displayed short fluorescence lifetimes.

Conclusion:

Areas of previously detached retina exhibit significant fluorescence lifetime changes. We found a significant correlation of fluorescence lifetimes within the fovea with visual acuity after successful RRD repair. Our data suggests that the prolongation of fluorescence lifetimes in the fovea is mainly driven by loss of macular pigment. Therefore, fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy may be useful in the prediction of long-term functional outcomes after macula-off RRD surgery.

Fundus autofluorescence imaging

Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging is an in vivo imaging method that allows for topographic mapping of naturally or pathologically occurring intrinsic fluorophores of the ocular fundus. The dominant sources are fluorophores accumulating as lipofuscin in lysosomal storage bodies in postmitotic retinal pigment epithelium cells as well as other fluorophores that may occur with disease in the outer retina and subretinal space. Photopigments of the photoreceptor outer segments as well as macular pigment and melanin at the fovea and parafovea may act as filters of the excitation light. FAF imaging has been shown to be useful with regard to understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostics, phenotype-genotype correlation, identification of prognostic markers for disease progression, and novel outcome parameters to assess efficacy of interventional strategies in chorio-retinal diseases. More recently, the spectrum of FAF imaging has been expanded with increasing use of green in addition to blue FAF, introduction of spectrally-resolved FAF, near-infrared FAF, quantitative FAF imaging and fluorescence life time imaging (FLIO). This article gives an overview of basic principles, FAF findings in various retinal diseases and an update on recent developments.

Evolution of macular microvasculature and retinal layers alterations in patients with macula off retinal detachment after vitrectomy

PURPOSE

To examine the changes in retinal microvasculature in association with retinal layers' condition in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

METHODS

Participants in this study were 89 patients with macula off RRD, who were successfully treated with PPV and gas tamponade without internal limiting membrane peeling, in two centers. All participants underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, slit-lamp examination, fundoscopy, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) at week 5, month 3 and month 6 postoperatively. The fellow untreated eyes were also examined and served as control data.

RESULTS

A statistically significant enlargement in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in both superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), accompanied with a statistically significant thinning of inner retinal layers, was noticed 5 weeks postoperatively. These changes, namely FAZ enlargement and thinning of inner retinal layers, in the operated eyes compared to the fellow eyes, remained unchanged till month 6 postoperatively. BCVA improved significantly from week 5 to months 3 and 6 postoperatively. The improvement in BCVA was associated with the gradual ellipsoid zone (EZ) recovery from the first (week 5) till the last examination (month 6).

CONCLUSIONS

The FAZ enlargement in the operated eyes was accompanied with a statistically significant thinning in the inner retinal layers. Inter-correlation of BCVA and EZ integrity was noticed.

Predictive Factors for Long-Term Postoperative Visual Outcome in Patients with Macula-Off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Treated with Vitrectomy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate potential predictive factors of long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

METHODS

Participants in this study were 86 patients diagnosed with macula-off RRD, who underwent PPV. Demographic characteristics and preoperative characteristics of RRD were recorded, while best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured preoperatively and at specific postoperative time points (6 weeks and 6, 12, and 24 months). In addition, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics at postoperative week 6 were assessed as potential factors affecting the long-term postoperative visual outcome 24 months after PPV for RRD.

RESULTS

Increasing age, duration of RD of more than 1 week, presence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, increasing central retinal thickness, ellipsoid zone disruption, and external limiting membrane disruption were significantly associated with a worse BVCA. BCVA was not associated with gender, lens status, the location of breaks, the gas tamponade agent used in PPV, the presence of subretinal fluid, and intraretinal fluid.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to determine predictive factors for visual outcomes in order to inform patients about their prognosis and help in the decision-making process for patient management.

Inner retinal layers' alterations and microvasculature changes after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To examine the retinal layers' changes and alterations in retinal microvasculature in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

METHODS

Participants in this study were 103 patients with RRD, 85 macula off and 18 macula on, who were treated with PPV and gas tamponade without internal limiting membrane peeling, in two centers. All participants underwent best corrected visual acuity measurement, slit-lamp examination, fundoscopy, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography at week 5 and at month 6 postoperatively. The fellow untreated eyes were also examined and served as control data.

RESULTS

A statistically significant enlargement in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in both superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) was noticed 5 weeks postoperatively in patients with RRD treated with PPV compared to the fellow eyes and remained 6 months after surgery. The FAZ enlargement in the operated eyes was accompanied with a statistically significant thinning of the inner retinal layer. In addition, there was a significant decrease in foveal and parafoveal vessel density (VD) in both SCP and DCP in the operated eyes compared to control eyes at week 5 postoperatively, which also remained at postoperative month 6.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrated that patients with RRD treated with PPV presented changes in the retinal microvasculature in both SCP and DCP, including enlargement of FAZ and decrease in VD. These changes seemed to be associated with inner retinal layer thinning.