Changes in retinal layers after pars plana vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Abstract Visual recovery after retinal detachment is often delayed despite surgical success. Changes in retinal thickness have been shown to occur after vitrectomy for retinal detachment and visual acuity seems to be related with these modifications. In this retrospective study we investigated the thickness of retinal layers using optical coherence tomography in patients successfully treated for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment between December 2014 and March 2023. We further investigated possible related clinical and demographic characteristics. A total of 1313 patients were initially identified. Of these, 1282 patients were excluded and finally 31 eyes from 31 patients were included. Twelve months after the surgical procedure the total retinal thickness, in particular, the outer nuclear layer thickness, significantly increased compared to one month postoperatively (respectively, 270.6 ± 34.2 vs. 288.0 ± 29.7, P < 0.001 and 79.5 ± 23.3 vs. 92.9 ± 16.5, P < 0.001). Factors associated with the increase were age, macula off status and the use of SF6 tamponade (all P < 0.05). No correlation was found between the increase in outer nuclear layer thicknesses and the final visual acuity in pseudophakic patients.