Quality of Life Following Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Purpose: To synthesize and quantify quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Methods: A PRISMA-guided search of Medline, Embase, and Scopus was conducted from database inception to February 8, 2025. Studies reporting QoL outcomes in RRD patients using validated instruments were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed and studies were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools. Results: Twenty-four studies involving 1912 participants were included. Most studies were conducted in Europe, Asia, and few in North America. Eighteen studies (75%) utilized the Visual Function Questionnaire 25 (VFQ-25) to assess QoL, while 3 studies (13%) employed the Chinese version of the Low Vision Quality of Life Questionnaire (CLVQoL). Preoperative RRD patients had significantly lower QoL than healthy controls (SMD -5.58 [95% CI -5.82, -5.33]; P<0.01; I2 = 84%). Higher QoL was noted in the RRD patients at 3 months following scleral buckle (SB) or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) surgery (SMD 0.67 [95% CI 0.45, 0.88]; P=0.10; I2 = 64%). Lower QoL was found in RRD patients 6 months post-surgery compared to healthy controls (SMD -2.99 [95% CI -5.06, -0.92]; P<0.01; I2 = 99%). Lower QoL was found in macula-off compared to macula-on RRD patients 12 months following surgery (SMD -1.08 [95% CI -11.24, 9.07]; P<0.01; I2 = 99%). Higher QoL was found in patients that underwent SB compared to PPV (SMD 2.37 [95% CI -1.66, 6.40] P<0.01; I2 = 92%). Conclusion: Despite surgical advances, RRD patients often experience ongoing challenges affecting recovery. Interventions to optimize care pathways are needed to improve QoL outcomes.