Macular morphology after macular hole surgery using the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique.

Abstract

To investigate the influence of an excess inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap that covers the fovea in idiopathic macular hole (i-MH) surgery on postoperative visual acuity and macular morphology. This retrospective study included 66 patients with an i-MH who underwent vitrectomy using the inverted ILM flap technique. They were divided into three groups: normal morphology (N), detached ILM (D), or ILM proliferation (P) in the parafoveal area. They were followed up for at least 6 months, and their best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and parafoveal retinal thickness (PRT) were measured. There were no significant differences in pre- or postoperative mean BCVAs or postoperative CRTs among the groups. The postoperative inferior PRTs were 319.2±38.0, 377.1±60.6, and 373.1±67.3 μm in the N, D, and P groups, respectively (P vs. D group, p=0.963; P vs. N group, p=0.008; N vs. D group, p=0.004). Regardless of the postoperative morphology of the inverted ILM flap, there was no effect on postoperative BCVA or CRT.