Impact of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment on Macular Vascular and Functional Integrity.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) can lead to significant visual impairment.
• Assessing functional and microvascular changes post-RRD surgery is crucial for understanding recovery.
• Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and macular integrity assessment (MAIA) microperimetry (MP) are advanced tools for evaluating retinal health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate correlations between OCTA, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and MAIA microperimetry (MP) in RRD patients and controls.
• To compare OCTA and MAIA findings between RRD patients and healthy individuals.
• To determine the influence of symptom onset to surgery timing on microvascular and functional recovery in RRD.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study comparing 47 RRD patients (post-successful surgery) with 136 healthy controls.
• Comprehensive ophthalmologic exams including BCVA, OCTA, and MAIA microperimetry.
• Collection of data on symptom duration, time to surgery, and time from surgery to testing in the RRD group.

Main Results:

• RRD patients had significantly worse BCVA and MAIA outcomes compared to controls (p < 0.001).
• OCTA revealed differences in superficial and deep capillary plexuses, especially the foveal avascular zone (FAZ).
• Correlations between OCTA and MAIA were stronger in controls; RRD patients showed fewer associations. Earlier surgery and longer post-operative intervals correlated with better outcomes.

Conclusions:

• RRD significantly impairs visual acuity, retinal sensitivity, and microvascular function compared to healthy eyes.
• The relationship between microvascular imaging (OCTA) and functional testing (MAIA) is diminished in RRD patients.
• Timely surgical intervention and adequate recovery time are important for functional and microvascular improvements after RRD repair.