We examined the postoperative visual recovery and quality of life after retinal detachment (RD) surgery.
In addition to a baseline clinical examination, patients filled out the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire at three time points: preoperatively and 1 and 3 months postoperatively (M1 and M3, respectively). We analyzed the composite score and short-form scores (socioemotional scale [SFSES] and visual functioning scale [SFVFS]).
One hundred ninety-four patients were enrolled in this study; 47 (26 macula-ON RD and 21 macula-OFF RD) returned all three questionnaires. The best corrected visual acuity was Snellen equivalent 20/25, 20/25, and 20/20 at the preoperative, M1, and M3 assessment, respectively. At M3, we found a positive correlation between SFSES and best corrected visual acuity measures among macula-OFF patients (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.58). A significant correlation with the best corrected visual acuity among macula-ON patients was observed only at M3 with the SFVFS score (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.41).
The quality of life differs between ON and OFF RD in regard to the composite score and especially SFSES and SFVFS. We found a transient decrease in the quality of life at M1 for macula-ON patients, whereas the quality of life improved throughout follow-up among macula-OFF patients. These data may help improve the management of patients' expectations after RD surgery.