Macular changes after silicone oil or gas tamponade for uncomplicated retinal detachment using swept source OCT and OCT‐Angiography

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate and compare the effect of silicone oil and gas tamponade on the macular area using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS‐OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT‐A).MethodsIn this retrospective study, we included patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil or gas tamponade for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). The thickness of retinal layers was measured automatically with the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid on SS‐OCT. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was analyzed in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and in the deep capillary plexus (DCP). The retinal vessel density (VD) was automatically assessed in the SCP.ResultsEyes in the silicone oil group (n = 23) had a statistically significant decreased parafoveal retinal thickness compared to the gas group (n = 23) with a mean of 279.61 ± 31.15 µm vs 308.42 ± 32.06 µm, respectively (p = 0.003) and compared to the fellow eyes (p = 0.03). Eyes in the silicone oil group had a larger FAZ in the SCP and the DCP compared to the gas group (p = 0.021 and p = 0.002, respectively) and a larger FAZ only in the DCP compared to the fellow eyes (p < 0.001). No significant difference in central and parafoveal VD was found between silicone oil group and gas group. Postoperatively, the best‐corrected visual acuity in the silicone oil group was significantly worse than that in the gas group (p = 0.032).ConclusionsSilicone oil tamponade probably induces a significant reduction of retinal thickness and enlargement of the FAZ area compared to gas tamponade in the repair of uncomplicated RRD. However, macular vessel density seems not to be affected.