Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness After Successful Retinal Detachment Repair with Persistent Subretinal Fluid at the...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal diseases
• Choroidal imaging

Background:

• Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a serious condition requiring surgical repair.
• Persistent subretinal fluid (pSRF) can occur post-RRD surgery, potentially impacting visual outcomes.
• Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) is a key indicator of choroidal health and fluid status in macular diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between SFCT and the presence of pSRF after successful RRD repair.
• To compare SFCT in patients with and without pSRF following RRD surgery.
• To evaluate the influence of different surgical techniques on SFCT in the context of pSRF.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective multicenter comparative study of Caucasian patients undergoing RRD repair.
• Measurement of SFCT by a masked observer using ImageJ at 1 month post-surgery.
• Statistical analysis including multiple regression to control for age, refraction, and gender.

Main Results:

• Adjusted mean 1-month SFCT was significantly thicker in the pSRF group (Group 1) compared to the no-pSRF group (Group 2) (41.0 µm, p=0.049).
• Within the pSRF group, pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) subgroup showed a trend towards thinner SFCT compared to scleral buckle (SB), SB+PPV, and pneumoretinopexy subgroups.
• SFCT at 1 month did not differ significantly between eyes with and without pSRF within the PPV group (237.5±77.2 µm vs. 213.7±72.1 µm, p=0.2).

Conclusions:

• SFCT post-PPV is comparable in eyes with or without pSRF.
• In eyes with pSRF, SFCT tends to be greater following SB surgery compared to PPV.
• These findings suggest surgical approach may influence choroidal thickness in the presence of residual subretinal fluid after RRD repair.