Author Response: Longitudinal Changes in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness After Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

We thank Kanakis and colleagues ¹ for their comments on our article. ² As they mentioned, analysis of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) of the corresponding peripheral retinal area is complicated. ³ Although we can study RNFL trajectories as linear or curved forms, there may be possibilities of over- or underestimation in both forms. Because the patient group had various lesions and configurations of retinal detachment, it seemed difficult to obtain accurate analysis data. Establishment of a more accurate analysis method is thus warranted. 

In addition, limitations exist if we set the fellow eye as the control group because healthy people may show differences in RNFL thickness between the two eyes. However, it is difficult to find an adequate control group other than the fellow eye, as preoperative RNFL thickness data cannot be obtained due to retinal detachment of the affected eye. Although a significant difference was detected between the RNFL thickness in the area of the detached retina and its mirror image in the fellow eye, the RNFL thickness in the area of the undetached retina in the affected and fellow eyes did not differ significantly. Thus, we believe that use of the fellow eye as the control is appropriate.