Optical coherence tomography analysis of the macula after scleral buckle surgery for retinal detachment.
OBJECTIVE
To define the incidence, pattern, duration, and clinical consequences of persistent localized submacular fluid after scleral buckle surgery for retinal detachment (RD).


METHODS
Prospective observational cohort series.


METHODS
Ninety-eight patients were identified and recruited to the study.


METHODS
Patients aged > or =18 years undergoing scleral buckle surgery for uncomplicated primary RD over an 18-month period were recruited. All patients underwent clinical examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan of the macula preoperatively and at 6 weeks postoperatively. Those patients who had an abnormality on OCT 6 weeks after surgery underwent follow-up with repeat of the study investigations at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months after surgery until the abnormality resolved. If no abnormality was seen at the 6-week examination, no further investigation was undertaken.


METHODS
Presence of submacular fluid on OCT 6 weeks after surgery. Other outcome measures were duration of persistent fluid and associations with poor visual outcome, type, or duration of detachment.


RESULTS
Of the 98 patients recruited into the study, 54 (55%) had subretinal fluid (SRF) on OCT 6 weeks after surgery. We identified 3 patterns of submacular fluid: confluent fluid, a single discrete bleb of fluid, and multiple blebs of fluid. Fluid was associated with delayed visual recovery. Of those with SRF, 78% had persistent fluid at 6 months; resolution of fluid took a median of 10 months and was associated with an improvement in vision.


CONCLUSIONS
Optical coherence tomography is a useful noninvasive diagnostic method that can detect SRF not seen on clinical examination. Persistent SRF 6 weeks after scleral buckle surgery occurs in approximately half of patients, may persist for many months, and can cause delayed visual recovery.
Benson
Sarah E
SE
Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom. sarah.benson@moorfields.nhs.uk
Schlottmann
Patricio G
PG
Bunce
Catey
C
Xing
Wen
W
Charteris
David G
DG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery*; D012591:Scleral Buckling; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity