Abstract
Purpose: :
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) is the primary cause of irreversible blindness in Western World. Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV) is a surgical approach for managing complications from PDR, such as vitreous hemorrhage. Our study attempts to correlate foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area to visual acuity (VA), central foveal thickness (CFT) and outer retinal layer integrity after PPV for PDR-related complications.
Methods: :
Retrospective review of 27 eyes treated with PPV for complications of PDR by single surgeon. Measured outcomes were visual acuity, foveal avascular zone, central foveal thickness, and outer retinal layer integrity.
Results: :
VA improved after PPV (p<0.0001). There was a significant negative correlation between FAZ area & CFT (p= 0.02). Wider FAZ correlated significantly with disrupted external limiting membrane (p = 0.027) but not with disrupted photoreceptor inner/outer segment (IS-OS). Neither FAZ area nor CFT correlated with VA.
Conclusions: :
Wider FAZ correlated with thin CFT. IS-OS integrity was not affected by macular ischemia. Post-PPV VA may improve despite wider FAZ and thinner CFT.
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • retina • vitreoretinal surgery