Spontaneous closure of macular holes in children

Abstract

AIM: This study aimed to analyze clinical cases of spontaneous macular hole (MH) closure in children and determine the optimal approach for managing patients with this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 32 patients aged 6–17 years (average: 11.3 years) were evaluated, including 32 eyes with a full thickness macular hole and 1 eye with a lamellar macular hole. All patients were treated in the Department of Pediatric Ocular Pathology of the Helmholtz National Medical Research Center of Eye Diseases in 2013–2023. They underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the macular area. RESULTS: Spontaneous MH closure was observed in five eyes (15.2%) of five patients (15.6%). The etiological factor of the disease was ocular contusion in two cases, photodamage in one case, and an inflammatory process in the posterior segment of the eye in two cases. A small diameter MH (100–261 µm) and its overgrowth soon after formation were common to all patients, that is, less than 2 months in 3 of 5 children and within 6 months in all patients. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous closure of MH with a small diameter and in the early stages after its formation is rare in pediatric patients. For MH with a diameter of up to 200 µm according to OCT and the absence of other indications for surgical treatment, a wait-and-see approach for 3 months with regular (once a month) examination is recommended. In cases with MH closure tendency, continued follow-up is crucial; if it persists after 3 months or increases at any period of follow-up, surgical treatment is indicated.