Longitudinal Changes in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness after Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

PURPOSE: To investigate the longitudinal changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness after pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: This prospective study examined 33 vitrectomy patients who were diagnosed with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Optical coherence tomography was conducted 6, 12, and 24 months after vitrectomy to investigate the changes in RNFL thickness. The RNFL thickness in the retinal detached area of the affected eye was compared with its mirror image in the fellow eye. RESULTS: The respective RNFL thickness in retinal-detached area and its mirror image in the fellow eye was 120.7 ± 13.5 μm and 124.7 ± 21.5 μm at 6 months following vitrectomy (P > 0.05); 114.1 ± 19.6 μm and 124.0 ± 16.6 μm at 12 months (P < 0.05); and 107.5 ± 17.2 μm and 123.8 ± 14.3 μm at 24 months (P < 0.05). A significant difference was detected between the RNFL thickness in the detached area and the fellow eye after 12 and 24 months. The difference in the RNFL thickness in the area of undetached retina in the affected eye and its mirror image in the fellow eye during follow-up did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, the RNFL was significantly thinner in the area of the detached retina than in the fellow eye 12 and 24 months postoperatively.