Significant correlation between retinal blood flow and visual acuity in recovery after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with macular detachment.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate differences in retinal blood flow leading to visual recovery in cases of macular detachment in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

STUDY

DESIGN

Observational, retrospective case series.

METHODS

We studied 64 eyes diagnosed with unilateral RRD with macular detachment that underwent pars plana vitrectomy from May 2010 to July 2015 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. We retrospectively measured visual acuity, blood pressure, intraocular pressure, and retinal blood flow using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

LogMAR visual acuity significantly improved one month after surgery (p<0.001. Friedman test with post-hoc test Bonferroni correction). The average mean blur rate (MBR) significantly improved three months after surgery compared to before surgery (95.9±26.0%, p<0.001). A significant correlation was observed between logMAR visual acuity and MBR changes at 1 month (r=- 0.42, p=0.007), 3 months (r=- 0.46, p=0.003), 12 months (r=- 0.32, p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

When vitrectomy is performed for RRD, the retina is repositioned, resulting in significant improvements in visual acuity and retinal blood flow.

TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Visual acuity recovery is correlated with the recovery of retinal blood flow.