EVALUATION OF RETINAL MICROCIRCULATION CHARACTERISTICS FOLLOWING RHEGMATOGENOUS DETACHMENT

Introduction. Despite advancements in surgical techniques for treating retinal detachment, the risk of vision loss remains significant. Accurate assessment of changes in the macular microvascuature using optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A) can improve predictions for recovery of vision in patients, making this a critical area of focus in modern ophthalmology. Purpose: to analyze changes in the retinal microvasculature following successful vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), both with and without macular detachment, and to evaluate their impact on postoperative visual function. Materials and methods. A total of 89 patients were studied. Group I consisted of 47 patients with RRD without macular detachment, while Group II included 42 patients with RRD with macular detachment. Retinal microvasculature parameters were assessed in the late postoperative period (18 months) using OCT-A. All patients underwent closed subtotal vitrectomy, retinal endolaser coagulation, and vitreous tamponade with an octafluoropropane (C3F8) gas-air mixture. Results. In Group II, correlation analysis at 18 months revealed a significant relationship between the density of the deep capillary plexus and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (r = 0.69, p = 0.023). Additionally, a correlation was observed between BCVA and the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) (r = 0.24, p = 0.013). Conclusions. Restoration of the retinal microvasculature continues into the late postoperative period in patients with RRD involving macular detachment. OCT-A parameters, specifically deep capillary plexus density and FAZ area, are significant factors influencing visual function following surgery for RRD.