Evaluation of the relationship between the real-time changes of macular structure and visual function in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after silicone oil tamponade

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the real-time changes of macular structure and visual function in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) patients. Methods: Forty-six patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and macular structural changes were analyzed within 3 months after silicone oil tamponade. Results: The mean final BCVA was significantly better than the preoperative BCVA (P = 0.002). The parafoveal thickness became thinner, the proportion of subretinal fluid (SRF) decreased, and the proportion of intact external limiting membrane (ELM) increased within 3 months postoperatively. The recovery stage and the integrity of ELM in the SRF (-) group were significantly faster than that in the SRF (+) group (all P < 0.05). The central foveal thickness (CFT), the inferior and temporal thickness of the parafovea, and the integrity of the ELM were significantly correlated with BCVA at each time point (all P < 0.05). Long duration of preoperative RRD, thinner CFT at 1 month postoperatively, and without integrity of ELM at 3 months postoperatively were associated with poor final BCVA recovery (R-2 = 0.462). Conclusions: The macular microstructural tended to restore integrity within 3 months. The presence of SRF in macula delayed the recovery of RRD patients but did not affect the visual function.