Changes of parafoveal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness analyzed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography after pars plana vitrectomy

Effect of modified surgical conditions on the peripapillary microvasculature and RNFL in patients receiving vitrectomy: an OCTA study

PURPOSE

Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is an effective treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, while some studies reported visual field defects after surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of modified vitrectomy surgical conditions on peripapillary microvasculature and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) changes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

METHODS

This was a retrospectively study and the medical records of 37 patients diagnosed with iERM or iMH underwent PPV with ILM peeling were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups according to different surgical conditions. Peripapillary OCTA images were acquired at pre-operation, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post-operation. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with Goldman applanation tonometer. Fisher's exact test, the Mann-Whitney U test, t test, and repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) were used to analyze our data.

RESULTS

The primary metrics found was the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) small vessel density. The RPC in the protective group was significantly increased compared with the control group after surgery. At 3 months after vitrectomy, the mean and superior quadrant peripapillary RNFL thickness in the protective group was significantly higher than those in the control group. BCVA was improved in both groups at 3 months after surgery. BCVA and IOP did not differ significantly between these two groups pre- and post-operation.

CONCLUSION

Vitrectomy with ILM peeling may cause peripapillary microvascular and RNFL damage. The application of a modified surgical conditions may do some help in the recovery of peripapillary blood flow and peripapillary RNFL thickness.

Variability of Visual Recovery with Time in Epiretinal Membrane Surgery: A Predictive Analysis Based on Retinal Layer OCT Thickness Changes

Purpose: To correlate postoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) thickness changes of each retinal layer with different patterns of visual recovery after idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery in a cohort of patients showing no known risk factors for poor visual recovery at preoperative imaging. Methods: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCT images were acquired preoperatively and 1 month, 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Patients were divided into four groups according to postoperative BCVA improvement: improvement < 15 ETDRS letters (GROUP 1), immediate improvement of BCVA without further improvements at later follow-ups (GROUP 2), immediate improvement of BCVA with further improvements at later follow-ups (GROUP 3) and delayed improvement of BCVA (GROUP 4). Results: Eighty-five patients were included. GROUP1 was the only one characterized by retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness increase and ganglion cell layer/central macular thickness (GCL/CMT) ratio decrease at 1 month and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness decrease at 3 and 6 months. GROUP 2 was the only one showing a decrease in GCL/inner plexiform layer (GCL/IPL) ratio at 1 month. GROUP 3 and 4 showed higher preoperative RNFL thickness compared to the other, and GROUP 4 manifested a late increase in RNFL thickness at 6 months. Conclusions: Different patterns of VA recovery are associated with specific layer thickness changes. If further confirmed, this would help detect those cases characterized by poor or delayed visual recovery despite the absence of other known imaging risk factors.

Peripapillary microvasculature changes after vitrectomy in epiretinal membrane via swept-source OCT angiography

PURPOSE

To evaluate the peripapillary microvasculature changes in patients with epiretinal membrane (ERM) following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA).

METHOD

Medical records and multimodal imaging data of 33 eyes after PPV for ERM were retrospectively reviewed. Peripapillary SS-OCTA images of 6×6 mm² were recorded at at pre- and post-operatively every 6 months for 1 year. A semi-automated method was used to analyzed SS-OCTA images, excluding the optic disc area, using the MATLAB software. The peripapillary vessel density (pVD) of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) was quantified in four quadrants (superior, inferior, nasal and temporal).

RESULT

The mean pVD in SCP and DCP decreased at 6- and 12-months follow-up. In sectoral analysis, superior, inferior, and temporal quadrants pVD in SCP and DCP were significantly reduced at 1 year after vitrectomy (all p < 0.05). Meanwhile, inferior quadrants pVD in SCP and DCP showed the earliest significant reduction at 6-months (p = 0.022 and 0.048, respectively). A reduction of post-operative mean pVD in DCP was significantly greater in patients with diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

Peripapillary capillary density significantly decreased after surgical removal of ERM. Vitrectomy with ILM peeling can cause peripapillary microvascular damage starting in inferior sector.

The effect of longstanding silicone oil on retina choroid and optic nerve in eyes with retinal detachment: an optical coherence tomography study

BACKGROUND

The study aims to evaluate peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL-T), central macular thickness (MT), choroidal thickness (CT), and thickness of each retinal layer after automatic segmentation in patients who underwent retinal detachment (RD) repair with longstanding silicone oil tamponade.

METHODS

We enrolled 33 patients who underwent complicated primary rhegmatogenous RD surgery and followed up with a long-term silicone tamponade were included in this retrospective comparative (case-control) study. RNFL-T, CT, and thickness of each retinal layer after automatic segmentation analysis were measured after the longstanding silicone removal surgery.

RESULTS

The mean silicone oil removal time was 15.1 ± 15.2 (7-70) months. The overall average thickness of the RNFL was 90.7 ± 13.6 μm in the operated eyes and 118.3 ± 35.6 μm in the sound eyes, with a statistically significant difference. The overall average central MT was 186.3 ± 57.7 μm and was significantly lower in the operated eyes than in the sound eyes. Inner retinal layers of the study group showed a significant thinning in the nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, inner plexiform layer, and inner nuclear layer as compared to that of the sound eyes. The subfoveal CT was 213.7 ± 86.6 μm in the study eyes and 217.7 ± 115.5 μm in the control eyes. There was no significant difference between the study eyes and controls.

CONCLUSION

The effects of silicone oil on the retina remain uncertain; however, morphological results in our study have shown direct or indirect silicone oil-induced toxicity, especially in the inner retinal layers.

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY EVALUATION OF PERIPAPILLARY MICROVASCULAR CHANGES AFTER RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR

PURPOSE

To evaluate the radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) vessel density (VD) and the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in eyes successfully treated with pars plana vitrectomy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional multicenter clinical study, eyes with a minimum 12-month follow-up were reexamined. The RPCP VD and RNFL thickness in the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment subfields of the affected eye (study group) were compared with the corresponding areas of the healthy fellow eyes (control group).

RESULTS

Fifty-three eyes were included in the study. A significantly lower RPCP VD and RNFL thickness were observed in those subfields affected by rhegmatogenous retinal detachment compared with those of the control group (P < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between undetached subfields in the study group and their corresponding images in the control group. In the study group, a significant correlation was found between RPCP VD and RNFL thickness in subfields with detached retina (r = 0.393, P < 0.001) and undetached retina (r = 0.321, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Radial peripapillary capillary plexus VD changes were found in the subfields of detached retina successfully treated with pars plana vitrectomy and they correlated with RNFL thinning. These data suggest a coexistence of neuronal and microvascular damage in patients affected by rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Tomographic Structural Changes of the Inner Retina after Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane

Purpose

To investigate the tomographic structural changes in the retinal layers after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM).

Methods

Sixty-nine eyes treated with vitrectomy and ILM peeling for idiopathic ERM were analyzed. Parafoveal retinal thickness was measured at baseline and 6 months after surgery.

Results

Total retinal thickness decreased significantly in the nasal and temporal subfields after surgery (p < 0.001), whereas the inner nuclear layer and outer nuclear layer showed nasal thickening (all, p < 0.001). The postoperative temporal/nasal subfield thickness ratio of each layer was significantly lower than that of fellow eyes. Eyes with larger ILM peeling showed a significantly lower temporal/nasal subfield thickness ratio (p = 0.033) than those with smaller sizes.

Conclusions

The retinal thickness of each layer showed anatomical changes from ILM peeling and ERM removal. Nasal parafoveal thickening and temporal thinning occurred in the inner retinal architecture, which might be affected by ILM peeling size.

The Effect of the Idiopathic Epiretinal Membrane and Surgically Induced Posterior Vitreous Detachment on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer

Aim

To investigate the changes in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with surgically induced posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling.

Methods

Patients with unilateral ERM with vitreomacular traction were included in this prospective, randomized, and controlled clinical trial. The control group (Group 1) was formed with the nonoperated fellow eyes of the patients, and the study group (Group 2) was formed with the eyes that underwent PPV including idiopathic ERM and ILM peeling. In the preoperative and postoperative periods (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 6^th, and 12^th months), complete ophthalmological examination of the eyes was performed and RNFL measurements were examined in 4 different quadrants (superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal) with the help of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Results

There was no statistically significant change in Group 1 during the follow-up period in all quadrants (p > 0.05). The mean RNFL thickness in Group 2 was statistically significantly higher than in Group 1 in superior, inferior, and temporal quadrants (p < 0.01), preoperatively. The mean RNFL in Group 2 was higher in the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 6^th months and lower in the 12^th month in superior, inferior, and temporal quadrants (p < 0.01) when compared to the preoperative period. The mean RNFL thickness in the nasal quadrant in Group 2 was higher in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd (p < 0.01) months, same in the 6^th month (p > 0.05), and lower in the 12^th (p < 0.01) month when compared to the preoperative period.

Conclusion

Idiopathic ERM may cause an increase in RNFL thickness in superior, inferior, and temporal quadrants with possible tractional effect. PPV with PVD induction and ERM and ILM peeling may cause these RNFL changes.

Influence of Perfluorocarbon Liquids on Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber-Layer Thickness Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy with Silicone Oil-Based Endotamponade

Background

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.

Influence of Epiretinal Membranes on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measured by Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Glaucoma

PURPOSE

We investigated changes in the thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) following the onset of an epiretinal membrane (ERM) in glaucoma patients.

METHODS

Among regularly monitored glaucoma patients, patients with a newly diagnosed ERM were consecutively enrolled. Before and after the onset of ERM, the RNFL thickness was measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and a visual field examination was performed using a Humphrey field analyzer. Changes in RNFL thickness parameters and global indices of the visual field analyzer were assessed.

RESULTS

In a total of 28 eyes from 28 patients, the average RNFL thickness increased by a mean of 4.0 ± 7.4 μm (p = 0.009) after ERM onset. There was an increase in the superior, nasal, and temporal quadrant RNFL thicknesses, and the change in the temporal RNFL thickness was significant (14.4 ± 21.2 μm, p < 0.001). However, the inferior RNFL thickness decreased by -0.6 ± 7.5 μm (p = 0.116). In the visual field examination, the mean deviation decreased significantly by -0.8 ± 1.7 dB (p = 0.038), from -14.6 to -15.4 dB.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant increase in average RNFL thickness was detected following ERM onset in glaucoma patients, although there was deterioration of the mean deviation in the visual field. When ERM occurs in glaucoma patients, clinicians should be aware that RNFL thickness measurements obtained with a spectral domain optical coherence tomography may underestimate the status of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

PERIPAPILLARY RETINAL NERVE FIBER THICKNESS CHANGES AFTER VITRECTOMY FOR EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE IN EYES WITH AND WITHOUT VITREOUS DETACHMENT

PURPOSE

To compare the changes in postoperative peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (p-RNFL) thickness after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane in eyes with preexisting posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and eyes with surgically induced PVD.

METHODS

This study included consecutive patients who underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane. Eyes were divided, according to intraoperative PVD status, into a preexisting PVD group and surgically induced PVD group. Best-corrected visual acuity, p-RNFL thickness, and central retinal thickness were performed before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty eyes of 120 patients were enrolled: 64 eyes in the preexisting PVD group and 56 eyes in the surgically induced PVD group. In the preexisting PVD group at 6 months, the mean global p-RNFL thickness did not change, whereas it was reduced in the temporal sector (P = 0.034). In the surgically induced PVD group at 6 months, significant decreases were observed in global p-RNFL thickness (P = 0.027), temporal (P = 0.021), temporal inferior (P = 0.030), and nasal inferior sectors (P = 0.010). At 6 months, the two groups differed significantly in temporal (P < 0.001) and temporal inferior sectors (P = 0.004). The preoperative mean best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly at 6 months in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative p-RNFL thickness after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane tended to decrease in the temporal sector in all eyes and in the temporal inferior and nasal inferior sectors in eyes with surgically induced PVD.

Longitudinal Changes in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Evaluated Using Avanti Rtvue-XR Optical Coherence Tomography after 23G Vitrectomy for Epiretinal Membrane in Patients with Open-Angle Glaucoma

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate longitudinal RNFL thickness changes in patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with epiretinal membrane (ERM) and ILM removal using OCT RTVue XR 100 Avanti.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of OCT scans of 40 patients who underwent PPV or combined phacovitrectomy with ILM peeling for the idiopathic ERM has been carried out. The patients were divided into two groups for the study: patients with the ERM and OAG and those with ERM without glaucoma. A trend analysis of the RNFL thickness changes in 1 month and 3, 6, and 12 months was created.

Results

At 1 month after surgery, the RNFL thickness increased significantly in the temporalis quadrant from 89.9 μm to 105.7 μm in patients with OAG. Comparison between group with OAG and group without glaucoma showed that the RNFLT in the temporalis quadrant decreased significantly 6 months after the surgery.

Conclusion

Postoperative changes in RNFL thickness appeared to be transient, and there was temporal retardation of the retinal nerve fibers without affecting visual acuity in both groups.

Surgically induced changes in retinal vessel diameter, retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, and the optic disc after 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy

The aim of the study is to investigate the retinal vascular calibre, retinal nerve fibre layer's thickness, and optic disc changes in patients after pars plana vitrectomy. We examined 40 eyes in 40 patients who had undergone unilateral pars plana vitrectomy at three time points: prior to surgery, and at 3 and 6 months after the operation. The diameters of central retinal arteries and veins were measured using retinal photographs. The central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) were calculated using the revised Parr-Hubbard formula. Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness was obtained using Stratus optical coherence tomography. The cup-to-disc vertical ratio of the optic disc was evaluated using stereo optic disc photography. There were no significant differences between the eyes of individual patients before the operation. Cup-to-disc vertical ratios of the optic disc were significantly increased 3 and 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.01, p < 0.01), and there was a significant difference between the operative eye and fellow eye at the same time points (p < 0.01, p < 0.01). Changes in CRAE and CRVE in the operative eyes were significantly larger than the fellow eyes 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.01, p < 0.01). The retinal nerve fibre layer thickness showed no significant changes. While there were no changes in retinal nerve fibre layer thickness, vitrectomy induced changes in the cup-to-disc vertical ratio of the optic disc and retinal vessel diameter for at least 6 months after surgery.

Transient Increase of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness after Vitrectomy with ILM Peeling for Idiopathic Macular Hole

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term changes in the circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness following macular hole surgery with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling combined with phacoemulsification. Methods. Thirty-eight eyes of 37 patients who had pars plana vitrectomy (n = 36) between 2010 and 2014 were studied. The average thicknesses of the global and the six sectors of the RNFL were determined before and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 (n = 22) months (M) after the surgery by spectral-domain optical coherent tomography. The postoperative mean RNFL thickness at each time was compared to that before the surgery by paired t-tests. Results. The RNFL of the operated eyes was significantly thicker at 1 month (1 M) and 3 M in all but the inferior-nasal sectors. The significant increase remained until 12 M in the superior-temporal and superior-nasal sectors. In addition, the RNFL was also significantly thicker in the temporal-inferior sector at 12 M based on the findings in 38 eyes. Conclusions. The postoperative RNFL was thicker in all but the nasal-inferior sector for at least 12 M after surgery. This prolonged increase of the RNFL thickness may indicate damage and mild edema of the RNFL.

Comparative Evaluation of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness After Conventional Brilliant Blue Assisted Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling Versus Brilliant Blue Selective Staining Using Whole Blood in Macular Hole Surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness after conventional brilliant blue (BB) assisted macular hole (MH) surgery versus BB selective staining using whole blood (WB) in MH surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty eyes with stage 4 idiopathic MH with a clear media were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A eyes underwent sequential intraoperative use of autologous heparinized WB followed by BB dye for staining internal limiting membrane, whereas eyes in group B were subjected to conventional BB staining. Clinical examination and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was done preoperatively and postoperatively up to 6 months.

RESULTS

Mean global RNFL thickness and mean temporal RNFL thickness decreased in both groups postoperatively, but the reduction in RNFL thickness in group B was greater than group A at all postoperative visits (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

BB toxicity may be responsible for reduction of RNFL thickness and WB appears to protect RNFL against dye toxicity. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016;47:436-442.].

Peripapillary RNFL Thickness Changes Evaluated with Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography after Uncomplicated Macular Surgery for Epiretinal Membrane

PURPOSE

To evaluate the peripapillary RNFL (p-RNFL) thickness changes after vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane (ERM). The relationship between p-RNFL thickness change and visual function was assessed.

METHODS

Thirty-five eyes from 35 patients with ERM who underwent vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal were included. Average p-RNFL and the four quadrants thickness were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) before and at one, three, and six months after surgery.

RESULTS

At six months after surgery, p-RNFL thickness of the temporal and inferior quadrant was decreased in the operated eyes compared with fellow eyes (p<0.05). Pattern standard deviation (PSD) was higher than that of fellow eyes (p = 0.002). The temporal and inferior quadrant p-RNFL thickness showed a relationship with both best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcome and the six-month PSD (p<0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The selective decrease in the temporal and inferior p-RNFL thickness after vitrectomy for ERM removal could indicate inner retinal damage related to ILM peeling.

Scleral Buckling versus Vitrectomy for Retinal Detachment Repair: Comparison of Visual Fields and Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness

PURPOSE

To compare visual field loss and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects in cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with scleral buckle (SB) versus pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and C3F8 injection.

METHODS

This was a prospective, comparative interventional study of 50 eyes with primary RRD, treated with PPV (25 eyes) or SB (25 eyes). All measurements took place at least 9 months following successful and uncomplicated surgical treatment. The visual field total deviation (TD) values for preoperative attached and detached areas were calculated and compared separately. The optic nerve head morphology was studied with Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT), and the RNFL using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

RESULTS

The preoperative detached areas demonstrated more affected TD values (in dB) compared to the preoperative attached areas (-6.9 ± 5.2 vs. -4.3 ± 3.3 for the SB group and -9.6 ± 5.2 vs. -7.8 ± 5.1 for the PPV group; p = 0.001) in both groups. The preoperative attached areas of the SB group showed better TD values (calculated mean values) compared to the preoperative attached areas of the PPV group (-4.3 ± 3.3 vs. -7.8 ± 5.1, p = 0.007). The RNFL and HRT values showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that the preoperative detached retina, despite successful reattachment, suffers permanent damage as a result of the detachment, irrespective of the method of treatment. In the PPV group, the postoperative functionality of the preoperative attached areas was detected to be worse compared to the postoperative functionality of the preoperative attached areas of the SB group. We postulate that this fact could be attributed to an additional traumatizing factor (possibly fluid-air exchange or gas injection) in patients with RRD treated with PPV.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness modification after internal limiting membrane peeling

PURPOSE

To identify early and late retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) modification after internal limiting membrane peeling for idiopathic macular hole or epiretinal membrane and to correlate RNFLT to visual field indices.

METHODS

Single-center, prospective, interventional consecutive case series. Complete ophthalmic examination, fundus images, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography were performed in 30 eyes of 30 patients before and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Six peripapillary sectors (superotemporal, temporal, inferotemporal, inferonasal, nasal, superonasal) and global RNFLT were evaluated. Visual field was performed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Significant RNFLT modification was found after surgery (P < 0.0001). Specifically, RNFLT significantly increased in all, but the temporal sectors, 1 month after surgery, and it returned to preoperative values at the third month. Six months after surgery, RNFLT was lower than basal values in the superotemporal, inferotemporal, and temporal sectors (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, and P < 0.001, respectively) with an average reduction of 18.2 ± 9.8 µm. No correlation was found between RNFLT and the visual field indices.

CONCLUSION

The diffuse RNFLT increase 1 month postoperatively could be because of inflammatory responses. The reduction of RNFLT in the temporal sectors 6 months postoperatively could indicate damage to the macular retinal nerve fiber layer caused by internal limiting membrane peeling.

Comparisons of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness after indocyanine green, brilliant blue g, or triamcinolone acetonide-assisted macular hole surgery

Purpose. To compare the postoperative changes of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with macular holes (MHs) treated with vitrectomy with indocyanine green- (ICG-), brilliant blue G- (BBG-), or triamcinolone acetonide- (TA-)assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. Methods. Sixty-one eyes of 61 consecutive patients with MHs were studied. Each eye was randomly selected to undergo either ICG- (n = 18), BBG- (n = 21), or TA-assisted (n = 22) ILM peeling. The circumferential retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was determined by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) before and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. The mean overall and the sectoral thicknesses of the RNFL were obtained for each group. Results. A transient increase of the RNFL thickness was seen in the mean overall and sectoral thicknesses except for the nasal/inferior sector at 1 month after surgery for the three groups. Then, the thickness gradually decreased and returned to the baseline level in all sectors except for the nasal/inferior sector. The differences in the RNFL thickness among the groups were not significant for at least 12 months postoperatively. Conclusions. The degree of change of the RNFL thickness was not significantly related to the type of vital stain used during MH surgery.