Pars plana vitrectomy for myopic traction maculopathy

Abstract

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) on myopic traction maculopathy (MTM). Methods The clinical data of 31 eyes of 29 patients with MTM diagnosed by time domain optical coherence tomography (TD-OCT) and slit-lamp ophthalmoscopy were retrospectively analyzed. The cases were divided into 2 groups according to the stage of MTM: 12 eyes of 10 patients at the early stage of MTM were in group 1 ; 19 eyes of patients at the most Advanced stage of MTM were in group 2. All of these eyes had undergone PPV with 10%-15% inert gas filling. The patients were followed post-operatively for 6 to 12 months with the average of 8 months, and the bes corrected visual acuity, reattachment of macular and retina was examined. Results The improvement rate of visual acuity after surgery for 6 months was 100% in group 1, and 63.2% in group 2 had (12/19); the visual acuity in group 1 was apparently better than that in group 2 (Z=-5. 477, P=0.000). The macular hole disappeared without exposure of the pigment epithelium in all eyes of Group 1, but only 3 eyes in Group 2. For Group 2 patients, 3 eyes had reattached retina with macular holes, and 3 eyes had detached retina with macular holes. The recovery of macular configuration in Group 1 was obviously better than that in Group 2 (Z= -4.318, P=0.000). Conclusion The surgical intervention of MTM before the formation of macular hole and retinal detachment may prevent the formation of macular holes. Key words: Myopia; degenerative/complications; Retina diseases/surgery; Vitrectomy