Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
Retinal Vascular Reactivity as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: March 26, 2020
Novel microarchitectural dynamics in rhegmatogenous retinal detachments identified with intraoperative optical
Justis P Ehlers1, Matthew P Ohr, Peter K Kaiser
1Ophthalmic Imaging Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cole Eye Institute, 9500 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. ehlersj@ccf.org
Purpose:
To evaluate ultrastructural macular changes during rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair using intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT).
Methods:
A multisurgeon, single-center consecutive case series of 9 eyes undergoing surgical repair for macula-involving rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with iOCT imaging using a custom microscope-mounted spectral domain OCT system. All patients underwent combined vitrectomy/scleral buckle repair. Imaging characteristics were analyzed, including persistence of subclinical intraoperative subretinal fluid and architectural changes associated with intraoperative maneuvers. Clinical characteristics were analyzed.
Results:
Nine eyes of nine patients were identified that underwent iOCT imaging during macula-involving rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair. Persistent subclinical subretinal fluid was identified in 100% of eyes after perfluoro-n-octane instillation. Significant alterations to the foveal architecture were detected with iOCT in 100% of cases. Three foveal configurations were noted based on iOCT findings. Stage 1 was characterized by a small area of subfoveal hyporeflectivity (3/9 eyes), Stage 2 had prominent subretinal hyporeflectivity and foveal thinning with indeterminate macular hole (MH) formation (3/9 eyes), and Stage 3 demonstrated definitive full-thickness MH (3/9 eyes). No eyes were noted to have a MH preoperatively or in the immediate postoperative period. One Stage 3 eye developed a full-thickness MH 7 months postoperatively. Stage 3 configuration was associated with poorer final postoperative visual acuity (P = 0.009).
Conclusion:
Microarchitectural changes occur during intraoperative repair of retinal detachments, including significant alterations in foveal configuration and persistent subretinal fluid. These features may help to prognosticate outcomes. These findings also suggest a possible novel mechanism for postrhegmatogenous retinal detachment MH formation.
