Infracyanine-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling in macular hole repair: does it make a difference?

Abstract

To investigate whether Infracyanine-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in macular hole repair affects the anatomical and functional outcome and complication rate. A retrospective analysis of 139 consecutive cases of stage 2 and stage 3 macular hole repairs with or without Infracyanine-assisted ILM peeling. There were 67 eyes with Infracyanine staining of the ILM and 72 eyes in the non-ILM-stained group. The results are analyzed functionally, anatomically and in terms of complications. A similar anatomical and functional closure rate was obtained with one unclosed macular hole in the stained group and two in the non-stained group (P=1.0). Fifty-two percent of the eyes in the stained group and 59% of those in the non-stained group achieved 0.5 vision or better (P=0.40). The mean postoperative vision was 0.55 in the stained group and 0.54 in the non-stained group (P=0.65). The mean improvement in vision was 0.40 in the stained group and 0.36 in the non-stained group (P=0.21). Anatomical and functional results are similar with or without Infracyanine-assisted ILM peeling. There was no apparent adverse effect of Infracyanine use on visual function, and no apparent retinal toxicity was found.