Visualization of retinal displacement after macular hole surgery and its correlation with postoperative visual function.

Abstract

Purpose: To observe retinal displacement following macular hole surgery using a three-dimensional barycenter localization algorithm and to evaluate its relationship with postoperative visual function.

Methods: This prospective study included 28 eyes of 27 patients with idiopathic macular holes. A customized algorithm takes a weighted sum to locate the perimacular area (PMA) barycenter based on the magnitude of the distance between the barycenter and the intersection of retinal vessels. Retinal displacement distance, angle, and the rate of change in the PMA were calculated by comparing the barycenters in preoperative and postoperative photographs. Correlations between retinal displacement and various clinical parameters were also analyzed.

Main outcome measures: The primary outcomes included retinal displacement characteristics (distance, angle, and rate of change in the PMA). Secondary outcomes were postoperative visual function, including best-corrected visual acuity, mean retinal sensitivity, and fixation stability.

Results: A significant "rebound" phenomenon, characterized by PMA wrinkling and extension, was observed in 11 cases (39.3%). The PMA was lower at 1 month postoperatively compared to that preoperatively (t=1.876, p=0.025). The mean displacement distance at 1 and 3 months postoperatively was 7.725 ± 0.097 and 6.187 ± 0.827, respectively. Mean retinal sensitivity at 3 months postoperatively improved compared to preoperative values (t=-2.171, p=0.039) and was significantly correlated with the rate of change in PMA at 3 months postoperatively (t=-2.162, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The three-dimensional barycenter localization algorithm effectively visualized retinal displacement. The PMA was shown to be associated with postoperative visual function in this analysis. The change trend of PMA and mean retinal sensitivity is consistent.