PURPOSE: To evaluate the structure and function of the macula following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery. METHODS: Prospective study of patients submitted to scleral buckle surgery or pneumatic retinopexy. The follow-up comprised a complete ophthalmologic exam and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 14 eyes (14 patients), 71.4% operated with the scleral buckle technique, and 28.6% with the pneumatic retinopexy. The age range was from 24 to 59 years (mean of 39.3 years). There was a negative correlation between the final visual acuity and age of patient (r=-0.64, p=0.0127) and between final vision and duration of detachment (r=-0.54, p=0.0447). There was a positive correlation between visual acuity at initial follow-up and that at the final follow-up (r=0.69, p=0.0059). The optical coherence tomography of the initial follow-up showed subclinical foveal detachment in four eyes (28.6% of cases); at the final follow-up the retina was applied by itself with improved vision in all eyes (p=0.031), regardless the time span until reapplication (p=0.5546). CONCLUSION: The results show that the younger the patient and the earlier the surgical procedure, the better the final visual acuity. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between initial and final postoperative vision and, all cases that presented foveal detachment on the optical coherence tomography at the initial follow-up had the retina flattened and the vision improved at the final examination.
Retinal Detachment; Retinal Detachment; Macula lutea; Postoperative Complications; Tomography, optical coherence; Visual acuity
