Evaluation of Axial Length Changes after Combined Phacovitrectomy for Macula-off Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

To evaluate the reliability of optical biometry for correct intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in eyes with macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) via comparing the axial lengths (AL) measured with optical biometry preoperatively and postoperatively.

This retrospective study was conducted with 25 eyes of 25 patients who underwent combined surgery (phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV)) with the diagnosis of RRD with macular involvement. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), biomicroscopic examination, intraocular pressure measurement and full fundoscopic examination were performed in all patients. Axial length was measured using optical biometry in all patients. The AL measurements were repeated in the postoperative third month in the patients using gas tamponade during vitreoretinal surgery and in the third month after the silicone oil removal in patients using silicone-oil tamponade during vitreoretinal surgery.

The mean age of the patients was 61.60±7.33. Fifteen patients (60%) were female, and 10 (40%) were male. Postoperative BCVA values (0.40±0.28) were significantly higher than the preoperative BCVA values (0.14±0.22) (p<0.05). The preoperative mean value of AL was measured as 24.66±1.90 and the postoperative mean value of AL was 24.67±1.91. There was no statistically significant difference between the measured AL values in the preoperative and postoperative periods (p=0.258).

Combined surgery (phacoemulsification and PPV) is a frequently applied method in RRD treatment. The correct AL measurement is important for the removal of refractive errors due to AL measurement in patients with macula-off RRD. Optical biometry provides accurate results in these cases.