Perfluorocarbon liquid use during vitrectomy for macula-Off Retinal detachment has no impact on Macular folds and Metamorphopsia.

PURPOSE: To compare two drainage techniques in macula-off retinal detachment (RD) surgery: perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL)-assisted drainage and partial subretinal fluid (SRF) drainage without PFCL. We investigated morphological and functional outcomes, focusing on metamorphopsia quantification.

METHODS: Eighty eyes with macula-off RD were retrospectively included. All underwent a 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. In the PFCL group, SRF drainage was performed using PFCL. In the partial SRF drainage (SRFD) group, SRF was partially drained through a pre-existing retinal break without PFCL. A follow-up at 3 and 6 months evaluated anatomical outcomes using optical coherence tomography (OCT), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and metamorphopsia quantified with M-charts.

RESULTS: Reattachment rates were comparable in the PFCL group (97.5%) and the SRFD group (95%) (p > 0.05). Mean BCVA (LogMAR) was 0.23 ± 0.32 (PFCL group) and 0.15 ± 0.13 (SRFD group) (p = 0.206). Metamorphopsia were reported by 19 patients (47.5%) in the PFCL group and by 12 patients (30%) in the SRFD group (p = 0.332). The mean metamorphopsia score was similar in both groups (0.27 ± 0.12 in the PFCL group and 0.28 ± 0.11 in the SRFD group, p = 0.866). Morphological OCT findings were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSION: Morphological and functional outcomes were similar in PFCL and SRFD groups. Metamorphopsia quantification scores did not improve with PFCL. While both of these techniques might be effective and could be recommended for primary macula-off RD management, potential PFCL toxicity should be kept in mind and its use dedicated to selected cases.