Vascular parameters after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, an optical coherence tomography angiography study

Purpose: To analyse vascular changes such as the postoperative foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, the superficial vessel density (sVD) and deep vessel density (dVD) and their correlation with functional (best‐corrected visual acuity, metamorphopsia) and anatomical outcomes (foveal macular thickness, FMT) after surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. Methods: Patients with RRD eyes, successfully treated with a single pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with gas or silicone oil tamponade and a minimum 6 months follow‐up, were re‐examined. For patients where silicone oil was applied, measures were taken after its removal. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, sVD, dVD and FAZ area were evaluated by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and compared to fellow eye. Moreover, anatomical association was tested between areas of reported metamorphopsias and vascular changes in the corresponding area. Results: Twenty‐one patients with macula‐on and 24 with macula‐off RRD were included in the study. In both groups, no significant difference in macular thickness and FAZ area was found compared to fellow eyes. In macula‐on RRD eyes, a lower total dVD (p