Foveal crack sign as a predictive biomarker for development of macular hole in fellow eyes of patients with full-thickness macular holes

Abstract

To investigate the prevalence and predictive value of the foveal crack sign (FCS) in fellow eyes of patients with full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) regarding future macular hole (MH) formation. In a retrospective observational case series, 113 fellow eyes of 113 patients with FTMH have been observed during a mean follow-up time of 21 months. According to baseline SD-OCT images, patients were divided into 4 separate groups: patients with FCS and vitreous adhesion, patients with FCS and vitreous detachment, patients without FCS with vitreous adhesion, patients without FCS with vitreous detachment. Progression rate to MH formation, predictive value of FCS and of vitreous interface status were calculated and compared across the four groups. FCS was observed in 19 of 113 fellow eyes (17%) of patients with FTMH, 10 of them with progression to MH during the mean follow up time of 21 months. 2 other eyes with progression to MH showed no FCS at baseline. Progression rate was shown to be 77% (10 of 13 eyes) in patients with FCS and vitreous adhesion, 0% (none of 6 eyes) in patients with FCS and vitreous detachment, 4% (2 of 48 eyes) in patients without FCS with vitreous adhesion, 0% (none of 46 eyes) in patients without FCS with vitreous detachment. FCS had sensitivity of 83.3% (95% CI 50.9–97.1%) and specificity of 91.1% (95% CI 83.3–95.6%) in predicting MH formation, positive predictive value of FCS was 52.6% (95% CI 29.5–74.8%) and negative predictive value 97.9% (95% CI 91.8–99.6%). Having simultaneously FCS and vitreous adhesion showed 83.3% (95% CI 50.9–97.1%) sensitivity and 97.1% (95% CI 91.1–99.2%) specificity in predicting macular hole formation; positive predictive value was 76.9% (95% CI 46.0–93.8%) and negative predictive value was 98.0% (95% CI 92.4–99.7%). Fellow eyes of patients with FTMH with foveal crack sign are at a very high risk (77%) of FTMH development, as long as posterior vitreous adhesion is present.