Choroidal thickness and vascular density after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Choroidal Imaging

Background:

• Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) affects the neurosensory retina and underlying choroid.
• Understanding choroidal changes in RRD is crucial for predicting visual outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate choroidal thickness (CT) and choroidal vessel luminal areas in eyes with fovea-off RRD.
• To assess changes before and after pars plana vitrectomy.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 27 eyes with fovea-off RRD undergoing vitrectomy and SF6 tamponade.
• Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) used for pre- and postoperative measurements.
• CT and luminal areas measured in subfoveal and attached macular regions.

Main Results:

• Subfoveal CT decreased significantly from 260 μm preoperatively to 200 μm at 1 month postoperatively.
• CT in attached macular areas also reduced significantly from 184 μm to 155 μm.
• No significant changes in CT or luminal areas were observed from 1 to 12 months postoperatively.

Conclusions:

• A pronounced subfoveal CT reduction occurs 1 month after vitrectomy for fovea-off RRD.
• This suggests normalization of choroidal swelling related to fluid absorption.
• CT and luminal areas stabilize post-1 month, indicating long-term stability.