How to Prevent Retinal Shift after Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repair: A Prospective, Randomized Study.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of intraoperative use of heavy liquid on retinal shift after retinal detachment repair.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were included in the current study.

METHODS

Patients were randomized into 2 groups: group A included patients in whom heavy liquid was used during the procedure and group B included patients in whom no heavy liquid was used. Group A and B patients were reviewed after 3 weeks and after 6 weeks, respectively, and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) images were obtained to visualize the retinal rotation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Postoperative macular shift, visualized with FAF.

RESULTS

A total of 50 eyes from 49 patients were included. Overall, retinal shift was observed in 17 patients (34%). Patients in whom heavy liquid was used during the procedure showed significantly less macular shift after surgery (P = 0.049). There was a strong association between retinal shift and postoperative symptoms of metamorphopsia. Ten of 17 patients with retinal shift reported distorted vision (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of intraoperative heavy liquid seems to be associated with lower occurrence of retinal shift after retinal detachment repair.