Laser Flare Photometry in Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: an Evaluation of 2487 Cases

Abstract

Purpose: Exploratory analysis associated with the prospective, multicenter, randomized PRIVENT trial. To characterize the associations between laser flare photometry and anatomical and epidemiological features of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: We measured laser flare values of all 3048 pre-screened patients excluding those with comorbidities. A mixed regression analysis evaluated the strength of the influencing factors age, sex, lens status, presence and extent of RRD on laser flare. Results: RRD was more frequent in men (65.8%) than in women (34.2%, p<0.001) and in right (52%) than in left eyes (48%, p=0.045). Phakic RRD affected less quadrants and was less likely to be associated with macula off status than pseudophakic RRD (48.4% vs 58.0% macula off, 23% vs 31% ≥3 quadrants, p<0.001). Laser flare of affected eyes was significantly higher compared to fellow eyes (12.6 ± 15.2pc/ms vs. 8.3 ± 7.4pc/ms, p<0.001). The factors age, sex, lens status, presence of RRD and the number of quadrants affected were independent influencing factors on laser flare. R2 was 0.145 for phakic and 0.094 for pseudophakic eyes. Conclusions: The results indicate that there may be more factors affecting laser flare than previously assumed. This might limit flare as predictive value for PVR and retinal re-detachment.