Real-Time In Vivo Assessment of Retinal Reattachment in Humans Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography.

Abstract

To assess the in vivo physiology of retinal reattachment in humans using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in real time. Prospective case series. Fifteen consecutive patients with fovea-involving rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were undergoing pneumatic retinopexy. SS-OCT was performed at presentation and frequent intervals immediately after pneumatic retinopexy. The primary outcome was longitudinal assessment of early postoperative SS-OCT to establish stages of reattachment. Most patients (93.3%, 14/15) achieved successful reattachment at the median follow-up duration of 13 weeks (interquartile range 7.5-18.0). Reattachment occurred in 5 specific stages: 1) redistribution of fluid and approach of the neurosensory retina toward the retinal pigment epithelium occurred in 100% (15/15); 2) reduction in cystoid macular edema and improvement of outer retinal corrugations was achieved in 100% (15/15); 3) initial contact of the neurosensory retina to the retinal pigment epithelium occurred completely in 66.7% (10/15); 4) deturgescence of the inner and outer segments of the photoreceptors occurred in 66.7% (10/15); and 5) recovery of photoreceptor integrity occurred in 3 specific substages: 5A) external limiting membrane recovery (10/15, 66.6%); 5B) ellipsoid zone recovery (9/15, 60%); and 5C) interdigitation zone/foveal bulge recovery (3/15, 20%). Twenty percent (3/15) had delayed progression through stage 2, characterized by formation of outer retinal folds. Similarly, 33.3% (5/15) developed residual subfoveal fluid blebs (delayed progression to stage 3). This study characterizes the in vivo physiology of retinal reattachment in humans using high-resolution SS-OCT that occurs in 5 specific stages. Delayed progression through certain stages was characterized by postoperative anatomic abnormalities. Am J Ophthalmol 2021;221:•••-•••. © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.