Postoperative Macular Perfusion Evaluation in Eyes with Noncomplicated Retinal Detachment and Macular Involvement Surgically Managed with Primary Vitrectomy

Abstract

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is fairly common and one of the main causes of blindness if left untreated. In spite of the high anatomical success rate for retinal detachment, visual recovery is lagging. Microvascular changes in the macular area might play a role in determining poor visual outcomes. Methods: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A) technologies have been used to determine the relationship between microvascular macular changes and visual acuity. Results: RRD seems to alter microcirculatory anatomy in the macular area by increasing the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and diminishing the vascular density (VD) of the superficial, deep and choroidal capillary plexuses. More so if the macula is detached, these changes appear to recover with time and might be correlated with postoperative visual acuity, but apparently do not entirely explain the sometimes-unexpected poor visual results.

Keywords: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, OCT, OCT-A, Foveal avascular zone, Vascular density, Macula.

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