IMPACT OF FOVEAL STATUS AND TIMING OF SURGERY ON VISUAL OUTCOME IN RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of surgical timing on visual acuity outcomes in retinal detachments based on the preoperative foveal status. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted. Cases were stratified into fovea-on, fovea-split, and fovea-off groups. Days to surgery was defined as the time between the preoperative examination and surgery. The main outcome measure was the final postoperative visual acuity. RESULTS: 1,675 cases were studied. More than 80% of fovea-on/fovea-split and fovea-off cases had surgery within 1 and 3 days, respectively. The mean final postoperative visual acuity did not differ significantly between the fovea-on and fovea-split groups (Snellen equivalent [SE] 20/33 ± 20/49 and 20/32 ± 20/39, P = 1.000) and did not change significantly based on days to surgery in either group. The mean final postoperative visual acuity was lowest in the fovea-off group (Snellen equivalent = 20/56 ± 20/76, P < 0.001) and was significantly lower in cases where surgery was performed after two or more days when compared with cases performed within 1 day (Snellen equivalent 20/74 ± 20/89 vs. 20/46 ± 20/63, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Fovea-on and fovea-split retinal detachments demonstrated comparable visual outcomes. Fovea-off RDs demonstrated worse visual outcomes, which declined further when surgery was delayed by two or more days.

Role of physician extenders: more regulation is necessary before full integration into practice.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss the drawbacks and propose recommendations for integrating physician extenders in ophthalmologic practice. RECENT FINDINGS: In this article, the role of utilizing physician extenders in ophthalmology is discussed. A role for physician extenders has been suggested as more and more patients will require ophthalmologic care. SUMMARY: Guidance is needed on how to best integrate physician extenders into eye care. However, quality of care is of the highest importance, and unless there is reliable and consistent training of extenders, using physician extenders to administer invasive procedures (e.g., intravitreal injection) should be avoided due to safety concerns.

Timing of Delayed Retinal Pathology in Patients Presenting with Acute Posterior Vitreous Detachment in the IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the timing of delayed retinal pathology in eyes presenting with acute posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). DESIGN: Retrospective database study. SUBJECTS: Patients in the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) registry found to have acute PVD based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision, codes were followed. METHODS: Patients coded to have a PVD from 2013 to 2018 along with common procedural technology coding of extended ophthalmoscopy were included. Ocular baseline characteristics included visual acuity, lens status, presence or absence of vitreous hemorrhage, myopia, lattice degeneration, and subspecialty training of the treating physician. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Timing (days) to delayed retinal break or detachment RESULTS: A total of 434 046 eyes met inclusion/exclusion criteria, and 10 518 eyes (2.42%) presented with a delayed retinal break or detachment after initial PVD. The median time to retinal break and detachment after initial PVD was 42 (range, 1-365) days and 51 (range, 1-365) days, respectively. Eyes with vitreous hemorrhage (hazard ratio [HR], 9.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.50-10.2), history of retinal break/retinal detachment in the fellow eye (HR, 3.91; 95% CI, 3.64-4.20), lattice degeneration (HR, 2.61; 95% CI, 2.35-2.90), and myopia (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.33-1.53) were found to be at a higher risk of developing delayed break or detachment. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up examination after initial PVD is necessary to diagnose delayed or missed retinal pathology. In eyes with no initial pathology, providers should consider repeat examination at least once within 6 weeks, and sooner for eyes with higher-risk features. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Macular Findings of Patients on Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium.

INTRODUCTION: In 2018, a unique maculopathy associated with chronic pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) use for the treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC) was described, where the authors detailed macular retinal pigment epithelial abnormalities in six patients. In this paper, a retrospective study of a larger patient pool at one large tertiary retina practice was undertaken to evaluate patients taking PPS and their macular findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients presenting to a single large retina practice between 2011 and 2019. Patient's macular diagnosis, findings, optical coherence tomography scans, and macular auto-fluorescent scans were assessed. This project was Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved by the St Luke's Hospital IRB board (St Louis, MO, USA). RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were identified as taking PPS for IC. Fifty-three patients were found to have a diagnosis consistent with changes attributable to known macular diseases to include macular degeneration and pattern dystrophies. Two (4%) of fifty-five patients had macular findings suggestive of PPS toxicity. The first was a 58-year-old female with subtle retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) deposits on optical coherence tomography that exhibited hyper-autofluorescence. The second was a 72-year-old female with 14 years of PPS use who exhibited RPE excrescences and parafoveal areas of atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Pentosan polysulfate sodium may be the cause of macular findings in a small percentage of patients referred to a tertiary retina practice. Although causation of macular changes with PPS use has yet to be elucidated, clinicians should be aware of this possibility when assessing patients with atypical macular findings. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to evaluate a definitive relationship. This paper should remind all clinicians of the importance of a throughout review of the patient's medication list as novel toxicities may become apparent years after initial FDA trials. The strength of this study is the larger patient population compared to earlier studies, and the main weaknesses include the retrospective nature of the study, lack of family and genetic testing, and lack of multimodal imaging for all patients.

Vitrectomy versus Combined Vitrectomy and Scleral Buckle for Repair of Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment with Vitreous Hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To compare pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with combined PPV and scleral buckle (PPV/SB) for repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with associated vitreous hemorrhage (VH). DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with RRD and associated VH who underwent PPV or PPV/SB from January 1, 2010, through August 31, 2020, were analyzed. METHOD: We performed a single-institution, retrospective, observational study of 224 eyes with RRD and VH at the time of detachment. We excluded eyes with <6 months of follow-up, a prior history of retinal detachment (RD) repair with vitrectomy or SB, VH that resolved before surgical intervention, and tractional or combined tractional and rhegmatogenous detachments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Single-surgery anatomic success (SSAS) at 6 months, defined as no recurrent RD requiring surgical intervention. RESULTS: Pars plana vitrectomy and PPV/SB were performed on 138 eyes (62%) and 85 eyes (38%), respectively. The mean age of the PPV and PPV/SB patients was 61.9 and 60.2 years, respectively. Single-surgery anatomic success was achieved in 107 of 138 eyes (77.5%) that underwent PPV and 78 of 85 eyes (91.7%) that underwent PPV/SB. The difference in SSAS between types of treatment was significant (P = 0.006). Mean visual acuity improvement in the PPV/SB group was 0.54 logMAR units greater than that in the PPV group (P = 0.126). The incidence of postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy in the PPV/SB group (11.7%) was lower than that in the PPV group (19.5%; P = 0.128). The rate of repeat PPV for non-RD reasons was similar for both the groups (P = 0.437). Final reattachment status was achieved in 137 of the 138 and 84 of the 85 eyes in the PPV and PPV/SB groups, respectively. Final visual acuity improvement was significantly better in eyes with PPV/SB than in eyes with PPV alone (logMAR 2.12 vs. 1.26, respectively; P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with RRD and VH, SSAS was superior in patients treated with PPV/SB compared with those treated with PPV alone. Although not significantly different, the PPV/SB group had better visual outcomes and a lower postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy rate.

Purtscher-Like Retinopathy in a Patient with COVID-19.

The emerging literature on the novel coronavirus pandemic has reported several cases of varied retinal findings in patients with COVID-19. We report the case of a 59-year-old male who presented with complaint of bilateral blurry vision following hospital discharge after prolonged hospitalization for severe COVID-19 illness. On ocular exam, the patient demonstrated bilateral cotton wool spots localized to the posterior pole of each eye. Multimodal imaging demonstrated findings consistent with retinal nerve fiber layer infarcts in the areas of the cotton wool spots. Exam and imaging of our patient were most consistent with a Purtscher-like retinopathy. We suggest that as ophthalmologists care for increasing numbers of patients recuperating from COVID-19, they monitor for microangiopathic changes similar to those in our patient.

Workup following retinal artery occlusion-experience from an outpatient retina clinic and the delay in workup.

PURPOSE: Acute retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is an urgent ophthalmic condition often indicative of future ischemic pathology. Patients diagnosed at an outpatient retina clinic must present to an emergency department (ED) or primary care clinic to obtain a systemic workup. We review the overall compliance and suspected delay in completing the required testing. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study METHODS: Patients presenting with a symptomatic RAO from June 2009 to January 2019 at a vitreoretinal practice (The Retina Institute, St. Louis, MO) were included. Documentation of carotid vasculature and echocardiographic imaging was requested from the patient's primary care physician (PCP), cardiologist, or neurologist. Time to workup (TTW) from RAO diagnosis to receiving appropriate workup and site of workup (ED vs. outpatient setting) were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred forty-seven patients were included. A total of 132 (89.8%) patients were documented as having completed at least one type of cardiovascular or carotid imaging. Seventy-seven patients (52.3%) were documented to have completed both carotid and echocardiographic imaging. Following RAO diagnosis, 97 (66.0%) patients were referred to an outpatient facility while 35 (23.8%) were evaluated at an ED. Mean TTW through an ED setting vs. outpatient was 2.20 days (1.10 STDM, range 0-29) vs.13.6 days (2.23 STDM, range 0-149) respectively (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Our study gives objective data to the delay suspected in referring patients with acute symptomatic RAO for outpatient workup. We recommend all outpatient ophthalmology and retina practices establish a relationship with a comprehensive or primary stroke center to facilitate urgent testing through an emergency department.

Clinical Outcomes in Sequential, Bilateral Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: A Multicenter, Paired-Eye Analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcomes in patients with sequential, bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) by using a paired-eye comparison. DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with sequential, bilateral RRD treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), scleral buckle (SB), or PPV plus SB over an 11-year period (October 2008-April 2019) from 4 vitreoretinal practices were included. METHODS: Data were collected on patient demographics, anatomic characteristics of the RRD, surgical procedures, and best-corrected visual acuity (VA). These variables, along with single-operation anatomic success (SOAS) and type and number of surgical procedures, were assessed with a paired-eye comparison. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Single-operation anatomic success between the initial-eye and subsequent-eye RRD. RESULTS: Five hundred four eyes of 252 patients were included. The mean interval between RRD in either eye was 13.6 ± 13.4 months. Single-operation anatomic success in the initial eye was 82.5% with a mean of 1.2 surgeries (range, 1-4 surgeries). Single-operation anatomic success in the subsequent eye was 83.7% (P = 0.80) with a mean of 1.2 surgeries (range, 1-4 surgeries; P = 0.68). Visual acuity was better in the subsequent eye at presentation (mean, 20/62 vs. 20/149; P < 0.001) and postoperative month 6 (mean, 20/41 vs. 20/49; P = 0.03), but final VA was similar (20/36 vs. 20/37; P = 0.68). Macular detachment was less prevalent (34.1% vs. 56.0%; P < 0.001) with fewer quadrants detached (mean, 1.9 quadrants vs. 2.0 quadrants; P = 0.010) in the subsequent eye. Mean duration of symptoms was shorter in the subsequent eye (mean, 5.9 days vs. 7.5 days; P = 0.008). In patients who underwent a different surgical technique in each eye, PPV plus SB yielded a higher SOAS of 89.7% compared with 69.0% for PPV alone in 116 eyes (P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: In this study of sequential, bilateral RRD, the SOAS was similar for each eye. The second eye was more likely to be treated earlier and to have less macular involvement, but the final VA outcomes were similar. Pars plana vitrectomy plus SB yielded a significantly higher SOAS than PPV or SB alone.

OCT Assistance in Identifying Retinal Breaks in Symptomatic Posterior Vitreous Detachments.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is a separation of the posterior hyaloid from the retina that manifests as photopsias and floaters. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has demonstrated posterior vitreous opacities (PVOs) that may correlate with Shaffer's sign, which may correlate with retinal breaks. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with symptomatic PVDs were retrospectively reviewed at a single institution by a single provider. Masked qualitative review of SD-OCTs by a single reviewer determined presence of PVOs. RESULTS: Among 78 patients, PVOs were found in 32 of the patients (41%), and 19 (59%) had retinal breaks. In those without PVOs, six (13%) had a break. Sensitivity and specificity were 76.0% and 75.5%, respectively. Removing patients with vitreous hemorrhages, sensitivity, and specificity of PVOs was 82.4% and 86.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In symptomatic PVDs, PVOs on OCT correlated with the presence of a retinal break, especially in the absence of a vitreous hemorrhage. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:628-632.].

Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes Study: Methodology and Overall Outcomes-Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes Study Report Number 1.

PURPOSE: To detail the methodology for a large multicenter retrospective cohort study (RCS) of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with detailed data collection and to present overall anatomic outcomes. DESIGN: This study used an RCS method. PARTICIPANTS: All patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), scleral buckling (SB), and combined PPV/SB for primary RRD in 2015 from 5 large retina groups were included in the database. METHODS: To ensure validity of the cohort method, a large and detailed database was generated. Double data entry validation was conducted, and data audits were conducted. Anatomic and visual outcomes for all the cases in the dataset will be described but not compared, because the cases were not matched. In future studies, comparable cases of moderate-complexity RRD will be chosen naive to surgeon, surgery, and outcome for subgroup analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Precision of data entry was confirmed by inter-rater reliability (IRR). Main surgical outcome for each procedure type was single-surgery anatomic success (SSAS). RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability showed significant agreement among raters (P < 0.001). Of 2620 patients, 2335 had >90 days of follow-up. Of these, 320 eyes (13.7%) underwent SB, 1200 eyes (51.4%) underwent PPV, and 815 eyes (34.9%) underwent PPV/SB. The SSAS was 84.2% for PPV, 91.2% for SB, and 90.2% for PPV/SB. CONCLUSIONS: We compiled a large, accurately documented database of primary RRD cases repaired by PPV, SB, and PPV/SB from which cohort studies of moderately complex RRDs can be carried out. All 3 approaches had a high SSAS rate. Procedures chosen and their outcomes are described, but the broad case mix makes comparisons not possible until future cohort studies are completed.

Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes Study: Pseudophakic Retinal Detachment Outcomes: Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes Study Report Number 3.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates outcomes of comparable pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) or PPV with scleral buckle (PPV-SB). DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, interventional cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Data were gathered from patients from multiple retina practices in the United States with RRD in 2015. METHODS: A large detailed database was generated. Pseudophakic patients with RRD managed with PPV or PPV-SB were analyzed for anatomic and visual outcomes. Eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy, giant retinal tears, previous invasive glaucoma surgery, and ≤90 days of follow-up were excluded from outcomes analysis. Single surgery anatomic success (SSAS) was defined as retinal attachment without ongoing tamponade and with no other RRD surgery within 90 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Single surgery anatomic success and final Snellen visual acuity (VA). RESULTS: A total of 1158 of 2620 eyes (44%) with primary RRD were pseudophakic. A total of 1018 eyes had greater than 90 days of follow-up. Eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy, previous glaucoma surgery, and giant retinal tears were excluded, leaving 893 pseudophakic eyes eligible for outcome analysis. A total of 461 (52%) were right eyes. A total of 606 patients (67%) were male, with a mean age of 65±11 years. Pars plana vitrectomy and PPV-SB as the first procedure were performed on 684 eyes (77%) and 209 eyes (23%), respectively. The mean follow-up was 388±161 days, and overall SSAS was achieved in 770 eyes (86%). Single surgery anatomic success was 84% (577/684) for PPV and 92% (193/209) for PPV-SB. The difference in SSAS between types of treatment was significant (P = 0.009). In eyes with macula-on RRD, SSAS was 88% in eyes treated with PPV and 100% in eyes treated with PPV-SB (P = 0.0088). In eyes with macula-off RRD, SSAS was 81% in eyes treated with PPV and 89% in eyes treated with PPV-SB (P = 0.029). Single surgery anatomic success was greater for PPV-SB than PPV for inferior (96% vs. 82%) and superior (90% vs. 82%) detachments. Mean final VA was similar for PPV (20/47) and PPV-SB (20/46; P = 0.805). CONCLUSIONS: In pseudophakic RRDs, SSAS was better in patients treated with PPV-SB compared with PPV alone, whereas visual outcomes were similar for both groups.

Analysis of Emergent Nonhospital-Based Retina Consultation Requests in an Academic Nonhospital-Associated Retina Practice.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of after-hour encounters concerning patients referred by eye physicians to on-call retina services for emergent evaluation not seen in or referred by an emergency department. DESIGN: Retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients seeking treatment at 3 private practice institutions over a 2-year period between 2017 and 2018. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted comprising all patients who sought treatment emergently and after clinic hours from 3 academic nonhospital-associated retina-only private practice institutions over a 2-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient presenting symptoms, diagnosis given at time of after-hours appointment, duration of symptoms, source of after-hours consultation (patient or provider), procedure performed at appointment, and appointments that led to surgery. RESULTS: Nine hundred eighty-seven charts were reviewed. Provider referrals accounted for 49.13% (n = 485) and patient-derived referrals accounted for 50% (n = 493) of appointments. New patients accounted for 27.6% (n = 146) of patient-derived and 85.2% (n = 413) of provider-derived referrals. The most common presenting symptoms were flashes and floaters (42.5%; n = 420), decrease in visual acuity (32.1%; n = 317), generalized eye pain (7.4%; n = 73), visual field disturbance (4.3%; n = 42), and postoperative ocular pain (3.4%; n = 34). An in-office procedure was performed at the time of examination in 18% of encounters (n = 178), with most of these being laser retinopexy. Surgery was performed within 24 hours in 18% (n = 180), within 48 hours in 20.6% (n = 203), within 72 hours in 21.7% (n = 214), and within 96 hours in 22.6% (n = 223) of the appointment. When combined with procedures, 36.2% (n = 358) of encounters led to urgent intervention within 24 hours. If a provider called about an existing patient, 37.5% of these appointments (n = 27) led to surgery versus 12.8% (n = 49) if an existing patient self-referred. If a provider called about a new patient, 31.7% of these appointments (n = 131) led to surgery versus 10% (n = 14) if a new patient self-referred. CONCLUSIONS: At these 3 private practice retinal specialty clinics, 41% of after-hours appointment requests resulted in an intervention within 96 hours, and 36% of these patients underwent an intervention within 24 hours.

Primary Retinal Detachment Outcomes Study Report Number 2: Phakic Retinal Detachment Outcomes.

PURPOSE: Anatomically similar rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) can be treated with scleral buckle (SB), pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), or SB combined with PPV (PPV/SB). This study compares moderately complex phakic primary RRD treated with SB, PPV, or PPV/SB to review anatomic and visual outcomes. DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective, interventional cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Data were gathered on all patients from multiple retina practices in the United States with RRD in 2015 and >90 days of follow-up. The cohort of phakic patients with moderately complex RRD was analyzed. METHODS: A large and detailed database was generated. Eyes with findings that would bias toward PPV (vitreous hemorrhage, dense cataract, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, giant retinal tear, among others) were excluded. Age <40 years (bias toward SB) was excluded. Comparable cases of moderately complex RRD were then chosen naive to surgeon, surgery, and outcome for subgroup analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Single surgery anatomic success (SSAS), defined as retinal attachment with no other RRD surgery within 90 days, is the main outcome measure. Final visual acuity is the secondary outcome measure. Pearson's chi-square and analysis of variance were used to test treatment effect of surgery type on SSAS and vision. RESULTS: Single surgery anatomic success was noted in 155 of 169 SB cases (91.7%), 207 of 249 PPV cases (83.1%), and 271 of 297 PPV/SB cases (91.2%). Scleral buckle and PPV/SB were superior to PPV for SSAS (P = 0.0041). For macula-on or split cases, SB had significantly better visual outcomes than PPV or PPV/SB even after controlling for cataract (cases with minimal cataract at final follow-up or after cataract surgery) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For phakic moderately complex primary RRDs in this study of PPV versus SB versus PPV/SB, SB had the best visual outcomes, and PPV had the worst SSAS outcomes.

Posterior Retinotomy vs Perfluorocarbon Liquid to Aid Drainage of Subretinal Fluid During Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repair (PRO Study Report No. 10).

Purpose: This work compares posterior retinotomy vs perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) for subretinal fluid (SRF) drainage during pars plana vitrectomy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: In this large, multicenter, retrospective comparative study, 2620 patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy (with or without scleral buckle) for uncomplicated RRD. Patients for whom SRF was drained via the primary break without retinotomy or PFCL were excluded; those who required both retinotomy and PFCL were similarly excluded. Remaining patients were separated into "retinotomy" and "PFCL" cohorts. Subgroup analysis was conducted for macula-on and macula-off subgroups. Postoperative outcomes were analyzed and compared. Results: A total of 760 eyes (82.7%) had retinotomy and 159 eyes (17.3%) had PFCL for drainage of SRF, and baseline characteristics between the 2 groups were similar. Postoperative analysis showed similar outcomes between the retinotomy and PFCL cohorts, including final visual acuity (P = .19), redetachment rate (P = .30), anatomic success (P = .28), presence of postoperative epiretinal membrane (P = .75), and other macular pathologies (P > .99). Subgroup analysis yielded similar outcomes for macula-on and macula-off subgroups. Postoperative presence of retained PFCL was 2.4%, possibly a factor in the slightly higher number of subsequent surgical procedures (P = .03) in the PFCL cohort. Conclusions: Postoperative outcomes for retinotomy vs PFCL during RRD repair are comparable, aside from slightly greater number of subsequent surgical procedures needed in the PFCL cohort. Our analysis suggests both techniques are reasonable tools in the repair of macula-on or macula-off RRD.

Long-Term Outcomes in Macular Telangiectasia Type 2 With Subretinal Neovascularization.

Purpose: This work reports long-term outcomes in macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) with subretinal neovascularization (SRNV). Methods: A retrospective, single-center review of medical records was performed on all patients with a diagnosis of MacTel presenting between May 2004 and October 2019. Medical and ocular history, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at baseline and final visit, optical coherence tomography data, and treatment history of SRNV secondary to MacTel were recorded. Results: A total of 471 eyes were diagnosed with MacTel. SRNV was present in 44 eyes (9.3%), of which 38 eyes met inclusion criteria for SRNV. Average follow-up duration in the SRNV group was 78.4 months. All SRNV patients underwent antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy. There was no significant change from mean baseline (0.59 ± 0.45) to final (0.70 ± 0.49) BCVA in the SRNV group as a whole (P = .13). Subgroup analysis revealed 17 of 38 eyes had SRNV at diagnosis and received immediate anti-VEGF treatment. In this subgroup mean pretreatment BCVA was 0.89 ± 0.43 and the mean final BCVA was 0.87 ± 0.61 (P = .84). The remainder (21 of 38 eyes) developed SRNV during follow-up. In this subgroup, final BCVA after initiation of treatment was 0.56 ± 0.32, an improvement in BCVA from SRNV onset (P = .04) and a decrease from pre-SRNV onset baseline BCVA (P = .008). Conclusions: Visual acuity is maintained, not improved, in long-term follow-up of MacTel with SRNV treated with anti-VEGF. Patients presenting with SRNV have a worse prognosis than those who develop SRNV during follow-up.