Intraoperative OCT-Assisted Retinal Detachment Repair in the DISCOVER Study: Impact and Outcomes

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate intraoperative OCT (iOCT) utility and outcomes during retinal detachment (RD) repair. The Determination of Feasibility of Intraoperative Spectral-Domain Microscope Combined/Integrated OCT Visualization during En Face Retinal and Ophthalmic Surgery (DISCOVER) intraoperative OCT study is a prospective Institutional Review Board-approved study. Participants in the DISCOVER study undergoing surgical repair for RD. This was a post hoc analysis of eyes in the DISCOVER study undergoing surgical repair for RDs. Inclusion criteria included iOCT after perfluorocarbon liquid placement and at least 6 months follow-up. Exclusion criteria included severe retinal pathology unrelated to RD. Surgeons completed standardized questionnaires after each case evaluating the iOCT instrument's utility. Functional and surgical outcome data were collected at the latest available time point between 6 and 12 months. Outcomes were evaluated in 2 groups: uncomplicated primary and complex cases. Intraoperative OCT utility, single-surgery success, and visual acuity outcomes. A total of 103 eyes were included in this study: 51 uncomplicated primary and 52 complex cases. Intraoperative OCT provided valuable information in 36% of cases. In 12% of cases, iOCT data directly altered surgical decision making. There was a significantly higher rate of valuable iOCT feedback in complex cases compared with primary cases (50% vs. 22%, P < 0.01). Among primary cases, 48 (94%) had successful single surgery repair with a mean postoperative visual acuity of 20/47 compared with the complex group's 75% single surgery success (n=39) and mean postoperative visual acuity of 20/92. This study affirms the potential impact of iOCT in assisting select cases of RD repair, particularly with complex pathology. The single surgery success rate was good with more than 80% of cases successfully repaired with 1 surgery.