Evaluation of macular vessel density changes after vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

AIM: To evaluate macular microvasculature changes in eyes after pars plana vitrectomy(PPV) and intraocular silicone oil(SO) tamponade for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD) using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS: Totally 19 eyes(19 patients) with maculaoff RRD who underwent PPV and intraocular SO tamponade were retrospectively reviewed. The parafoveal superficial capillary plexus(SCP) vessel density(VD), deep capillary plexus(DCP) VD, choriocapillaris plexus(CCP) VD, and foveal macular thickness were evaluated using OCTA throughout 16 wk postoperatively. The values of healthy fellow eyes were used as control.RESULTS: The parafoveal SCP, DCP, and CCP VDs were significant increased over time in RRD eyes during the 12 wk postoperatively, then decreased at 16 wk postoperatively(all P<0.01). The ratios of RRD eyes and fellow healthy eyes(r/f ratios) of the SCP and DCP VDs were lower than those of the CCP VD postoperatively(all P<0.05). There were not significant differences in the r/f ratios between SCP and DCP VDs postoperatively(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The parafoveal SCP, DCP, and CCP VDs gradually recover over time after PPV surgery with SO tamponade. Long-time SO tamponade might decrease postoperative macular VDs. Compared to parafoveal CCP VD, the parafoveal SCP and DCP VDs were more vulnerable in RRD eyes postoperatively.