Optical Coherence Tomography Macular Findings after Successful Scleral Buckling in Eyes with Compromised Visual Status.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optical coherence tomography (OCT) macular findings after successful scleral buckling in eyes with compromised visual status.

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Clinical Ophthalmology, Khyber Institute of Ophthalmic Medical Sciences, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan, from February 2015 to November 2016.

METHODOLOGY: Patients with postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) less than 6/6, successful scleral buckling, and flat macula clinically, aged 18-70 years, were included. OCT scan (OCT-Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, GmbH 69121) of central 30 degrees around fovea was performed three months postoperatively. Foveal detachment, epimacular membrane (EMM) and cystoid macular edema (CME), were studied on OCT after successful buckling surgery in eyes with compromised visual status.

RESULTS: A total of 164 eyes of 164 patients (92 males 72 females) were assessed with OCT. Foveal detachment (FD) was present in 54 cases (32.9%), cystoid macular edema (CME) in 30 (18.3%), and epimacular membrane (EMM) in 11 cases (6.7%); while no abnormality was detected in 69 (42.1%) cases on OCT.

CONCLUSION: OCT is very helpful in identifying the cause of limited visual recovery after successful retinal detachment (RD) surgery.