Ultra-widefield fundus imaging in gas-filled eyes after vitrectomy

To evaluate the quality of the images obtained by an ultra-widefield device in gas-filled eyes after vitrectomy for a retinal detachment.

Retrospective case series. The ultra-widefield scanning laser ophthalmoscopic images (Optos 200Tx imaging system) of 40 eyes that were gas-filled with 40 to 90% of the vitreous cavity after vitrectomy for a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were studied. The rates of detecting the rates of reattachments and the causative retinal tears that were treated and were in the superior or inferior areas in eyes with intravitreal gas of ≥60% were compared to that to eyes with intravitreal gas of <60% of the vitreous cavity. The widefield images recorded with 532 nm (green) or 633 nm (red) wavelength laser lights were compared to determine which wavelength had clearer images in 20 eyes of retinal detachment with superior retinal tears and were more than 50% gas-filled.

The ultra-widefield images showed a retinal reattachment in all eyes on postoperative days 1 to 40 (mean; 8.7 ± 7.5 days). A superior retinal break was not visible in 5 of 26 eyes due to a reflection from the intravitreal gas bubbles when the gas was <60%. However, the superior retinal breaks were visible when the patients were requested to gaze downward to reduce the reflection of the gas bubble. The retinal breaks treated with laser burns and the retinal vasculature were imaged better with green laser than red laser light, and the choroidal vasculature was seen better with red laser light.

Ultra-widefield fundus images can be used to evaluate and document the retinal breaks and retinal reattachments in gas-filled eyes. The green and red laser lights can image different depths of the retina and choroid in gas-filled eyes.