PERFLUOROCARBON LIQUID USE DURING VITRECTOMY FOR MACULA-OFF RETINAL DETACHMENT HAS NO IMPACT ON MACULAR FOLDS AND METAMORPHOPSIA

Purpose: To compare two drainage techniques in macula-off retinal detachment surgery: perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL)-assisted drainage and partial subretinal fluid drainage without PFCL. This study investigated morphological and functional outcomes, focusing on metamorphopsia quantification. Methods: Eighty eyes with macula-off retinal detachment were retrospectively included. All underwent a 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. In the PFCL group, subretinal fluid drainage was performed using PFCL. In the partial subretinal fluid drainage (SRFD) group, subretinal fluid was partially drained through a preexisting retinal break without PFCL. A follow-up at 3 months and 6 months evaluated anatomical outcomes using optical coherence tomography, best-corrected visual acuity, and metamorphopsia quantified with M-charts. Results: Reattachment rates were comparable in the PFCL group (97.5%) and the SRFD group (95%) (P > 0.05). Mean best-corrected visual acuity (logMAR) was 0.23 +/- 0.32 (PFCL group) and 0.15 +/- 0.13 (SRFD group) (P = 0.206). Metamorphopsia was reported by 19 patients (47.5%) in the PFCL group and by 12 patients (30%) in the SRFD group (P = 0.332). The mean metamorphopsia score was similar in both groups (0.27 +/- 0.12 in the PFCL group and 0.28 +/- 0.11 in the SRFD group, P = 0.866). Morphological optical coherence tomography findings were comparable in both groups. Conclusion: Morphological and functional outcomes were similar in PFCL and SRFD groups. Metamorphopsia quantification scores did not improve with PFCL. While both of these techniques might be effective and could be recommended for primary macula-off retinal detachment management, potential PFCL toxicity should be kept in mind and its use dedicated to selected cases.