Retinal Displacement After Pneumatic Versus Vitrectomy for Retinal Detachment (ALIGN) (ALIGN)

Retinal Displacement After Pneumatic Retinopexy Versus Vitrectomy for the Management of Primary Retinal Detachment

This is a prospective cohort study, comparing the functional outcomes and the retinal displacement rates between two techniques for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair: Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV) and Pneumatic Retinopexy (PnR).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Retinal Detachment; Aniseikonia; Metamorphopsia
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Pneumatic Retinopexy; Procedure: Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Detailed Description

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is an acute, sight threatening condition, with an incidence of approximately 10 per 100,000 people.

Without surgical intervention by a vitreoretinal surgeon, retinal detachment almost invariably results in permanent sight loss in the affected eye. There is an increased risk of delayed visual rehabilitation the longer the wait for surgery. Both of the treatments under investigation are widely used and accepted by vitreoretinal surgeons.

Interventions for retinal detachment:

1. Pneumatic retinopexy (PnR) has been employed to repair retinal detachments since the late 1980s and is a minor surgical intervention, carried out in a treatment room. The initial success rate (i.e. the proportion of patients in whom the retina becomes attached after one treatment) is quoted as approximately 70%. PnR is carried out under topical or local anaesthetic (a freezing injection under the conjunctiva, the superficial skin on the eye). The procedure involves injection of a small gas bubble into the eyeball via a fine needle. This step takes a maximum of 15 minutes. Two gases can be injected into the eye: perfluoropropane (C3F8), which lasts 6 weeks, and sulfahexafluoride (SF6), which lasts about 2 weeks. Both are non-toxic, equally effective, have been validated for this use, and are widely used amongst retina surgeons in the world. After injection of the gas bubble, the patient is required to maintain a strict 'head posture' (for example, head tilt to left) for up to 10 days. The purpose of this 'head posture' is to align the gas bubble (which floats within the eye) to the retinal tear. The buoyant force of the gas bubble, as well as its surface tension, act to reattach the detached retina over several days. The gas bubble spontaneously dissipates after 2-6 weeks, depending on the gas selected. Additionally, laser treatment or cryotherapy is carried out either before or 1-2 days after injection of the gas bubble, to secure the retinal tear. Both laser and cryotherapy are widely accepted methods of securing the tears in the retina and both are considered equally safe and effective. In patients where the retina does not reattach with PnR alone, vitrectomy surgery (PPV) or repeat PnR is needed (see below). However, the minority of patients who go on to need repeat treatment encounter similar final anatomical success rates and will experience the same gain in vision as those patients who underwent PPV in the first place.
2. Vitrectomy surgery (PPV) involves 'keyhole' surgery to the eyeball, via three tiny (23/25 gauge) incisions to the sclera. This procedure is carried out in the operating room, under regional anaesthetic plus sedation. During PPV, the vitreous gel is removed from the eye using a fine metal instrument called a 'vitrector'. A large gas bubble (same gases as mentioned for PnR) is injected (to reattach the retina, as in PnR), and laser or cryotherapy is applied around the retinal tear to secure it (as in PnR). After treatment, the patient will be required to maintain a 'head posture' (face down for 24 hours). The gas bubble reabsorbs after 2-6 weeks, depending on the gas selected. The surgery takes 1-1.5 hours. The success rate (i.e. the proportion of patients in whom the retina becomes attached after one treatment) is reported as being as high as 90% in the scientific literature.

Both of the treatments may be associated with complications such as bleeding, infection, increased intraocular pressure or cataract. The risk of a sight threatening complication such as a severe intraocular infection or hemorrhage is less than 1:1000 (for both procedures). The risk of cataract development (clouding of the lens, requiring cataract extraction surgery) is less than 10% for PnR and at least 70% for PPV.

Distortion and retinal displacement after retinal detachment repair:

Image distortions such as metamorphopsia and micropsia are common complaints after surgery for retinal detachment. In 2010 there was the first study demonstrating hyper-fluorescent lines, adjacent to the retinal blood vessels in Fundus auto-fluorescence imaging (FAF) of the retina after retinal detachment (RD) repair surgery. The authors proposed a theory in which these lines which are called also Retinal Vessel Printing (RVP) correspond to the area where the retinal blood vessels were located before the retinal detachment. According to this theory the RVP in FAF imaging is due to increased metabolic activity of RPE cells. Prior to surgery these RPE cells were obscured to light rays by retinal blood vessels while after surgery, due to displacement of the retina, these RPE cells became exposed to the light which leads to increase in the cells metabolic activity. This increase in metabolism is thought to be the cause for the hyper fluorescence seen in FAF imaging. Displacement of the retina after RD repair surgery can serve as anatomy basis of vision distortion. Moreover, these reference lines allow us to quantify the displacement of the retina after retinal detachment surgeries. By doing this, we can compare retinal displacement of different retinal detachment repair surgeries and may reduce post operation visual distortion.

Since the first report, several other studies looked into retinal displacement after RD repair, epiretinal membrane and macular hole. Other studies have shown that retinal displacement ratio is higher in patients with intravitreal gas compare to patients with silicon oil (71.4% vs. 22.2%). There was also a way of quantifying the rotational displacement of the retina. The authors showed that there is more than a simple rotation and probably also a temporal stretch of the retina. Recently there was a publication of the biggest study so far of 125 patients after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with 35.2% of patient showed signs of retinal displacement.

Recently the investigators showed in PIVOT trial that patients after pneumatic retinopexy has less vertical distortion than patients after PPV. To the best of our knowledge, no study so far looked into retinal displacement after Pneumatic Retinopexy. Moreover, wide field FAF was not used in previous studies. The investigators think there is a reason to believe that Pneumatic Retinopexy will cause less retinal displacement than PPV. Thus, the investigators propose a prospective cohort study which will compare retinal displacement of patients after RD repair by PPV versus Pneumatic Retinopexy.

The aim of this study is to compare retinal displacement and visual distortion of primary retinal detachment repair following pneumatic retinopexy (PnR) versus pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

The primary study hypothesis is that pneumatic retinopexy will cause less retinal displacement and less visual distortion at the first 12 months for patients with primary retinal detachment.

Interventions Participants will undergo either: PnR + laser/cryotherapy or PPV + laser/cryotherapy depending on the treating physician's recommendation, regardless their participation in the study.

For patients undergoing PPV, the use of adjunctive surgical techniques such as placement of a scleral buckle, use of silicone oil, or combined cataract extraction are at the discretion of the treating surgeon. All participants undergoing the vitrectomy arm, regardless of the additional steps done during the procedure, will be considered as one group for data analysis.

In the event of primary intervention failure (i.e. failure of retinal re-attachment following primary intervention), the decision to proceed with secondary intervention, and the nature of such intervention, will rest with the treating physician in conjunction with the patient. Secondary intervention may involve any surgical procedure, as deemed clinically appropriate.

Note: Additional laser retinopexy, cryotherapy, gas injection or head positioning are not considered a failure.

Sample size:

A sample size calculation was carried out in relation to the primary outcome, using the following assumptions: minimal clinically important difference in risk of retinal displacement=20% (15% in PnR and 35% in PPV), power 80% and alpha= 0.05. We also increased the sample size per group to account for patients with primary failure, lost follow-up and ungradable images due to media opacity, yielding a total sample size of 204 patients (n=102 per group).

Data management:

Initial data collection (clinical examination findings, visual acuity, questionnaire data) will take place in a paper format. Subsequently, this data will be transferred to a digital database (Microsoft Excel). Paper data will be stored in a locked filing cabinet in the principal investigator's office and away from the study data, and will be destroyed once digital data entry has taken place. The digital spreadsheet will be held on a password protected computer in a locked room, and an encrypted memory stick. At recruitment, each patient's name and date of birth will be obtained to facilitate onward administration of follow-up appointments and safety monitoring, and stored on a face sheet (master linking log). The face sheets will be stored in a locked filing cabinet, away from the study data. Each patient will be allocated a unique study identification number, which will be used to label all paper and digital data pertaining to that patient. The face sheets (master linking log) and all paper/electronic data will be destroyed once publication takes place. The de-identified study data will be destroyed five years after publication has taken place.

Consent:

Written, informed consent will be obtained from each participant. On no occasion should consent be obtained by the treating physician or study investigator. During working hours: The study will be introduced to the patient by the examining physician. Interested patients are directed to the Research Technician who will obtain informed consent.

Data Analysis:

Continuous data: Data will be checked for normality. Normal data will be compared using a non-paired t-test. Non-normal data will be compared using non parametric tests. Categorical data: Chi squared test.

Coefficients with 95% confidence intervals will be reported. A p-value of 0.05 will be considered for statistical significance. Data will be analyzed using SPSS (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Per protocol analysis will be used.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 204

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5C 2T2
      • Department of Ophthalmology, St Michael's Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients presenting to St. Michaels Hospital retinal service with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Eligibility for study participation will be ascertained by the examining physician at the time of presentation

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18
• Diagnosis of macula off primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous retinal detachment and/or retinal detachment repair surgery in the study eye
• Retinal detachment with macula on.
• Patients with other retinal pathologies causing structural changes to the retina in the study eye, such as diabetic retinopathy, previous vascular occlusion (artery or vein occlusion), macular dystrophy, among others.
• Previous vitreoretinal surgery in the study eye
• Inability to come for follow ups up to 12 months.
• Inability to take FAF imaging due to neck stiffness or other medical issue.
• Inability to maintain post operation head positioning
• Mental incapacity
• Inability to sign on informed consent.
• Patient is unwilling or unable to follow or comply with all study related procedures or to sign informed consent form

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Cohort
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Primary Retinal Detachment 1; Patients presenting with primary macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment being treated with Pneumatic Retinopexy	Procedure: Pneumatic Retinopexy; The PnR technique is performed as per the PIVOT trial under local anaesthetic. First, patients will undergo a thorough scleral-depressed peripheral retinal examination to identify all pathologic features. Second, laser retinopexy will be applied to all breaks, lattice degeneration, or both in the attached retina before gas injection. Third, breaks in the detached retina will be treated with cryotherapy before gas injection or (preferably) laser retinopexy 24 to 48 hours after gas injection, with additional laser retinopexy applied at any point per surgeon discretion. Finally, anterior chamber paracentesis will be used to express as much fluid as safely possible (generally 0.3ml), followed by intravitreal injection of 100% SF6 (ideally 0.6 ml). Patients will be positioned face down for 6 hours and then raise their head 30 degrees every hour (steam roll) and then positioned to the responsible break.; Other Names: PnR
Primary Retinal Detachment 2; Patients presenting with primary macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment being treated with Pars Plana Vitrectomy	Procedure: Pars Plana Vitrectomy; For PPV, a standard 3-port PPV (23 or 25-gauge) will be performed, including posterior hyaloid detachment, core vitrectomy and 360 peripheral vitreous shave. Subretinal fluid will be drained either through the peripheral break or through a posterior retinotomy with use of heavy liquid to assist with appropriate drainage at the discretion of the responsible surgeon. A complete air-fluid exchange will be performed. Endolaser Retinopexy or transconjunctival cryopexy will be performed to treat any retinal pathology, including lattice degeneration and breaks in the attached and detached retina. A iso-expansible concentration of SF6 or C3F8 gas will be injected at the completion of the surgery. Choice of gas will be at the discretion of the responsible surgeon. Patients will be positioned immediately face down for the first 24 hours and then according to the position of the responsible break.; Other Names: PPV

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Retinal Displacement	The retinal displacement is assessed by the presence of retinal vessels printing (RVP) on Autofluorescence Imaging. FAF imaging will be assessed by 2 independent masked graders, who will indicate in retinal displacement is present or not. On those images that retinal displacement is noted, the distance between RVP and retinal vessels will be measured on the Optos system.	3 (60 up to 120 days) months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Visual Distortion and Metamorphopsia (M-Chart)	Visual distortion is measured by M-Chart (a visual tool) evaluation and ranges from 0.2 to 2, increasing in a decimal scale of 0.2.	3 (60 up to 120 days) and 12 (10 up to 14 months) months
Aniseikonia test	Aniseikonia is a phenomenon in which the size or shape of perceived images differs between eyes. The anomaly is reported to be associated with interocular differences in refractive error and some retinal diseases. The Aniseikonia Test measures the ratio of image size difference between the 2 eyes by using colourful lens (green and red) and comparing the images between 2 eyes.	3 (60 up to 120 days) and 12 (10 up to 14 months) months
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) changes	A reading center will analyze the cross-sectional OCT images regarding the presence of ERM, CME, retinal layers disruption and outer/inner retinal folds.	3 (60 up to 120 days) and 12 (10 cup to 14 months) months
Visual Acuity (ETDRS)	ETDRS - 'Early treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study' - this study defined a method of visual acuity assessment that has become the gold standard for use in eye research) will be assessed at 12 months after the treatment for RRD. It is performed with a special chart under best-corrected visual acuity situation.	12 (10 up to 14 months) months
Metamorphopsia questionnaire	It is a self administered questionnaire regarding metamorphopsia symptoms in professional or daily activities. Patient can choose one options among the four available for each one of the 9 questions. The results range from 0 to 47 and higher results represent worse symptoms.	3 (60 up to 120 days) and 12 (10 up to14 months) months
Retinal Displacement	The retinal displacement is measured by the presence of retinal vessels printing (RVP) on Autofluorescence Imaging. The RVP is first classify in a YES/NO question. Then, the eyes with RVP (YES) will have the distance between RVP and retinal vessels measured on the Optos system.	12 (10 up to 14 months) months
Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and findings in OCT angiography	The FAZ area in the post RRD eye and in the fellow eye will be measured by 2 independent masked graders using ImageJ software. The average of the FAZ area will be compared between the PPV and PnR group, and the fellow eye (if healthy) will be used as a control.	3 (60 up to 120 days) and 12 (10 up to14 months) months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Unity Health Toronto

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 27, 2018
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 31, 2021
• Study Completion (Actual): March 31, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 26, 2019
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 9, 2019
• First Posted (Actual): September 13, 2019

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): December 13, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 9, 2022
• Last Verified: December 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Retinal detachment; Metamorphopsia; Aniseikonia; Retinal displacement
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Eye Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Retinal Diseases; Sensation Disorders; Refractive Errors; Retinal Detachment; Dissociative Disorders; Vision Disorders; Aniseikonia
• Other Study ID Numbers: 18-085

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No