Outcomes Of Macular Hole Surgery Research Articles

Macular hole surgery with internal limiting membrane removal, air tamponade, and 1-day prone positioning

Purpose: The internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal has been combined with macular hole surgery in recent years, which facilitates shortening of the prone-positioning period after surgery. In this study, surgical outcome of macular hole surgery with ILM removal, air tamponade, and 1-day prone positioning was evaluated. Methods: In a prospective study, 23 patients (23 eyes) underwent vitrectomy for idiopathic macular holes. Macular holes <0.4 disc diameter and without apparent atrophy of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were selected for study. After vitrectomy combined with the ILM removal and fluid-air exchange, patients were instructed to keep prone positioning for only 1 day. The initial hole-closure rate, complications and visual outcome were evaluated. Results: Anatomical closure of macular holes was achieved in 21 (91.3%) of the 23 eyes by one operation. The postoperative visual acuity of 0.5 or better and 1.0 were achieved in 19 eyes (82.6%) and 6 eyes (26.1%), respectively. Postoperatively, intraocular pressure was elevated temporarily in 2 eyes (8.7%); retinal break and posterior synechia occurred in 1 eye (4.3%) each. These complications were treated successfully and did not threaten visual acuity. Conclusion: Air tamponade with ILM removal followed by 1-day prone positioning was considered to be a useful method for macular holes with small diameter and without apparent atrophy of RPE. This method facilitated early recovery to a normal social life.

Functional outcome of macular hole surgery with and without indocyanine green-assisted peeling of the internal limiting membrane.

To describe the impact of indocyanine green (ICG) staining of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) on the functional outcome of anatomically successful macular hole surgery by comparing consecutive patient series with and without ILM staining. Eighteen consecutive patients who had undergone ICG-assisted vitrectomy (0.05%) for idiopathic macular hole were retrospectively analysed (visual acuity, gain in lines, Goldmann perimetry) and compared with two consecutive series of patients who had undergone macular hole surgery without the use of ICG immediately before (n=22) and after (n=17) the introduction of ICG in our institution. The osmolarity of the ICG solution applied was 275 mosmol, pH was 7.5. Although there was no statistically significant difference in duration of preoperative symptoms (P>0.3) and preoperative visual acuity (P>0.5), the functional outcome in patients after ICG-assisted vitrectomy was significantly lower (P<0.001 for visual acuity). The incidence of visual field defects was 50% (9/18) in patients after ICG application. Our findings suggest potential damage to the neurosensory retina in association with the intraoperative administration of the ICG solution. Whether this is caused by toxic effects of the dye itself, mechanical trauma to the retina or other mechanisms remains unknown.

Comparison of silicone oil versus gas tamponade in the treatment of idiopathic full-thickness macular hole

Purpose To compare anatomic and functional outcomes of macular hole surgery with either silicone oil or C 3F 8 gas tamponade. Design Retrospective comparative interventional study. Participants Fifty-four eyes of 51 patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy for macular holes. Thirty-one eyes were treated with silicone oil tamponade, and 23 eyes were treated with C 3F 8 tamponade. Methods Demographics, preoperative and postoperative characteristics, and complications were analyzed. Main outcome measures Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, initial hole closure, number of persistent or recurrent holes, number of reoperations, and final hole closure. Results The silicone oil and gas tamponade groups were demographically similar. The rate of hole closure after one operation with oil tamponade was significantly lower than that with gas tamponade (65% vs. 91%; P = 0.022). The percentage of patients undergoing a second operation was significantly higher in the oil group (35% vs. 4%; P = 0.006). However, with reoperations, the final rate of hole closure was similar between the oil and gas groups (90% vs. 96%; P = 0.628). The final median visual acuity for the gas group was significantly better than for the oil group (20/50 vs. 20/70; P = 0.047). Conclusions C 3F 8 gas proved to be a more effective tamponade than silicone oil with respect to achieving initial closure of macular holes. Eyes receiving an oil tamponade required significantly more reoperations to achieve a similar rate of hole closure compared with eyes undergoing a gas tamponade. Final visual acuity was better for gas-operated eyes than for silicone-operated eyes.

Clinical findings in macular hole surgery with indocyanine green-assisted peeling of the internal limiting membrane.

Indocyanine green (ICG) staining of the internal limiting membrane has facilitated ILM peeling in macular hole surgery. However, it has been reported that ICG-assisted peeling of the ILM may result in retinal damage and unfavorable functional outcome. Therefore, we analyzed our visual and anatomical results of ICG assisted macular hole surgery. In a retrospective study the records of a consecutive series of 37 patients with full-thickness idiopathic macular holes operated with ICG-assisted ILM peeling by a single surgeon were analyzed. All patients underwent a standard three-port vitrectomy with surgically induced posterior vitreous detachment, staining of the ILM with ICG, peeling of the ILM in a circular manner around the fovea, and SF6 20% endotamponade. A total of 37 patients (37 eyes) were included in the study. The mean age was 69+/-7 years (range 52-81 years), and there were 26 women and 11 men. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 30 months (mean 18+/-6 months). At baseline visual acuity ranged from 20/400 to 20/40. Anatomically, 13 eyes had stage 2 holes, 21 eyes (57%) stage 3 holes, and three eyes stage 4 holes. At the postoperative visit (8-12 weeks after surgery) anatomical closure of the macular hole was achieved in 36 eyes. Visual acuity ranged between 20/400 and 20/20. At the last follow-up after initial surgery the macular hole was closed in all eyes. Visual acuity ranged from 20/200 to 20/20. In our retrospective series anatomical and functional results of macular hole surgery with ICG-assisted peeling of the ILM are satisfactory. Primary hole closure was achieved in 97% of eyes and visual acuity increased in 62% of eyes in our series.

Visual Outcome of Macular Hole Surgery with Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling

To evaluate the efficacy of the internal limiting membrane(ILM) peeling on macular hole surgery. A series of 102 patients(105 eyes) who underwent primary macular hole surgery between October 1994 and April 1999 was used for this retrospective study. The mean age was 65.6 +/- 7.1 years (mean +/- standard deviation). Of the study eyes, 34 eyes(32%) had a Stage II hole, 49 eyes(47%) had a Stage III hole, and 22 eyes(21%) had a Stage IV hole based on the Gass classification. Here we compared the surgical and visual outcome of the ILM peeling-treated group(treated group: 51 eyes) with those of ILM peeling-untreated group(untreated group: 54 eyes). The hole closure rate after initial surgery was 98.0% in the treated group and 90.7% in the untreated group, and mean postoperative visual acuity, excluding cases where the hole was not closed by initial surgery, was 0.44 and 0.47, respectively. Visual improvement of 2 or more lines on Snellen chart was achieved in 84.3% and 57.4%(p < 0.01), and that of 4 or more lines in 54.9% and 25.9% (p < 0.01), respectively. Of the eyes with Stage II and III holes, visual outcome of the treated group was significantly better than that of the untreated group(p = 0.034, p = 0.037). In Stage IV, the initial closure rate of the treated group was significantly better than that of the untreated group(p = 0.02), but the visual outcome was not significantly different. Vitreous surgery combined with ILM peeling for the management of idiopathic macular hole is effective not only on hole closure but also on visual recovery.

Retinal pigment epithelial changes after macular hole surgery with indocyanine green-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling

PURPOSE: To report the results of macular hole surgery using indocyanine green to improve visualization and facilitate peeling of the internal limiting membrane. METHODS: A retrospective noncomparative review of a consecutive series of 22 patients (22 eyes) who underwent macular hole repair using indocyanine green to facilitate visualization of the internal limiting membrane was performed. One patient was excluded because of a history of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. All patients underwent a three-port pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling. Indocyanine green (0.1% solution) was used to assist in the visualization of the internal limiting membrane. The main outcome measures were postoperative visual acuity, macular hole status, and postoperative retinal pigment epithelial changes. RESULTS: In 21 eyes, the median preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200 (range, 20/60 to counting fingers at 5 feet). The median postoperative visual acuity was 20/400 (range, 20/60–1/200) with an average follow-up of 13 weeks. The macular hole was closed in 18 eyes (86%) at the most recent follow-up. Ten eyes were found to have atrophic retinal pigment epithelium changes in the area of the previous macular hole. CONCLUSIONS: Indocyanine green assists in visualization of the internal limiting membrane in macular hole surgery. In our series, 10 eyes had unusual atrophic changes in the retinal pigment epithelium at the site of the previous macular hole, or in the area where the indocyanine green solution would have had direct access to the bare retinal pigment epithelium cells. Although the use of indocyanine green improves visualization and assists with peeling of the internal limiting membrane, the safety and potential toxicity of indocyanine green to the retinal pigment epithelium require further investigation.

Macular hole surgery in high myopia

To evaluate the anatomic and functional outcomes of macular hole surgery in high myopia and to determine whether surgery is beneficial in myopic eyes with macular holes. Retrospective noncomparative case series. Twenty eyes of 18 highly myopic subjects who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for macular holes. We analyzed demographics, preoperative, and postoperative characteristics in 20 eyes with macular holes with a mean of 10.4 months duration and myopia of 6 diopters or greater. Macular hole closure rate and mean visual acuity preoperatively and postoperatively. Mean subject age was 56.4 years and preoperative visual acuity was 20/100+2. The macular hole was closed with one surgery in 60.0% of eyes and in 85.0% of eyes with one or more surgeries. The mean final acuity in all eyes was 20/63, and 40.0% improved greater than three Snellen lines at the final visit. The use of adjunctive agents seemed to have no effect on macular hole closure or visual acuity. A subgroup of three myopic eyes with retinal detachments surrounding the macular hole had successful closure with visual acuity improvement in two of three eyes. Macular hole surgery can give substantial visual improvement in myopic eyes with macular holes, but the anatomic closure rates are lower than in eyes with idiopathic macular holes, and thus a higher reoperation rate is required.

Results of macular hole surgery combined with PEA and IOL

We evaluated the factors affecting closure and postoperative visual acuity, as well as complications among idiopathic macular hole surgery cases comprising 631 eyes in 576 patients. Almost all the surgeries were combined with simultaneous intraocular lens surgery (triple surgery). In some cases, the standard method was accompanied by internal limiting membrane peeling around the macular hole or abrasion of retinal pigment epithelium at the base of the macular holes. We found that male gender and short eye axial length were associated with closure and postoperative visual acuity. Although the frequency of peripheral retinal tears during surgery was high, the frequency of postoperative retinal detachment was less than 2%. The reopening frequency was about 5% among all cases, and was highest among eyes that underwent the abrasion method. There were no other significant complications. Internal limiting membrane peeling is effective for treatment of cases with unfavorable preoperative conditions. However, the standard method is sufficiently effective for cases with favorable preoperative conditions. Further analysis is required to evaluate postoperative visual function by methods other than visual acuity. Further study of internal limiting membrane peeling, as a treatment alternative, is also required.

Outcomes of macular hole surgery in severely myopic eyes: a case-control study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of macular hole surgery in highly myopic eyes and to compare these outcomes with a control group of eyes that were not severely myopic. METHODS: The study design was a matched, case-control, retrospective chart review. The participants included 26 eyes of 24 patients who had vitreous surgery for macular holes. The eyes were divided into two groups: 13 consecutive eyes with severe myopia (defined as −6.00 diopters of refractive error or greater) and 13 control eyes without severe myopia that were operated on immediately before or after each study eye, with the most recently operated eye chosen. The main outcome parameters were preoperative and final follow-up visual acuity, macular hole closure rates, reoperation rates, duration of preoperative symptoms, and follow-up time. RESULTS: Using the Snellen equivalent of logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) units, visual acuity improved after macular hole surgery in severely myopic eyes from 20/152 to 20/89 ( P = .041) and in control eyes from 20/152 to 20/47 ( P < .001). At final follow-up, visual acuities were lower in severely myopic eyes compared with control eyes ( P = .048). Macular hole closure rates, reoperation rates, duration of pre-operative symptoms, and follow-up intervals were not significantly different statistically between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Macular hole surgery results in anatomical and visual improvements in severely myopic eyes but generally yields poorer visual acuity outcomes compared with eyes that are not severely myopic.

Macular hole surgery without routine membrane excision or use of adjuvants.

To present results of macular hole surgery without adjunctive treatment or routine membrane dissection, but with a long duration tamponade. Fifty-one consecutive eyes underwent surgery with vitrectomy. Membrane peeling was performed only when traction was obvious. Pure perfluoropropane gas was injected as a tamponade followed by prone positioning for two weeks. All eyes were examined with scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) before and after surgery. The macular hole was closed successfully in 48 eyes (94%) after one procedure. Visual acuity improved to 0.50 or more in 18 eyes (35%). Improvement of two or more lines was achieved in 35 eyes (69%). Two eyes developed retinal detachments and two eyes showed post-operative visual field defects previously reported after macular hole surgery. In this series the results and complication rates compare favourably with other reports of macular hole surgery. However, in contrast to many previous studies, membrane peeling was not done. The extent and long duration of the gas tamponade was thought to be important for the surgical success.

RESULTS OF MACULAR HOLE SURGERY IN PATIENTS OVER 80 YEARS OF AGE

Purpose: To evaluate the results of macular hole surgery in patients over 80 years of age to determine if surgery is beneficial in an elderly patient population. Purpose: Twenty consecutive patients over age 80 with idiopathic macular holes and 20 nonconsecutive controls younger than 80 years treated for idiopathic macular holes were compared in a retrospective, consecutive case-control series. Results: The macular hole was closed 3 months after surgery in 19/20 eyes (95%) of patients over age 80 years and 17/20 eyes (85%) of patients under 80 years. The mean preoperative visual acuity was 20/160 in patients over 80 years and 20/160-1 in patients under 80 years. The mean visual acuity at 3 months was 20/63 in eyes of patients over 80 years and 20/80 in eyes of patients under 80 years (P = 0.3). The mean visual acuity was 20/50-2 in eyes of patients over 80 years and 20/63-2 in eyes of patients under 80 years at the final examination (P = 0.403). Conclusions: Macular hole surgery is beneficial in patients over 80 years of age, with very similar results to those of patients younger than 80 years of age. Age should not be the primary criterion for recommending macular hole surgery. RETINA 20:433-438, 2000

Macular hole surgery with internal-limiting membrane peeling and intravitreous air

ObjectiveTo examine the results of macular hole surgery using pars plana vitrectomy, internal-limiting membrane peeling, and intravitreous air in a series of consecutive patients. DesignA retrospective, interventional, noncomparative case series. PatientsFifty consecutive patients (58 eyes) with full-thickness macular holes. InterventionAll eyes underwent a pars plana vitrectomy with internal-limiting membrane peeling and intravitreous air, and patients were asked to position face-down for only 4 days. Main outcome measuresStatus of macular holes, visual acuity, and associated findings and complications. ResultsAll patients had postsurgical follow-up of 6 months or greater. Eight eyes (14%) presented with stage-2 macular holes, 48 eyes (83%) with stage-3 macular holes, and 2 eyes (3%) with stage-4 macular holes. Only 26 eyes (45%) had a macular epiretinal membrane seen before surgery. Fifty-three (91%) of the 58 macular holes were closed with 1 operation, and 55 (95%) had closure of the macular holes with subsequent operations. Five (9%) of 58 eyes had an initial visual acuity of 20/50 or better, and 31 eyes (53%) had a final visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Of the 45 eyes with symptoms of less than 6 months’ duration, 44 (98%) had macular holes that were closed with 1 operation and 27 (60%) had a final visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Of the 13 eyes with symptoms of 6 months’ duration or longer, 9 (69%) had macular holes that were closed with 1 operation and 4 (31%) had a final visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Complications attributed to the operation included retinal tears, retinal detachments, postoperative macular puckers, and macular light toxicity. ConclusionsThe anatomic and visual results in this series are good. The current technique is similar to that of conventional macular hole surgery except for the use of intravitreous air, internal-limiting membrane peeling in all eyes, and only 4 days of postoperative positioning. This study would suggest that peeling of the internal-limiting membrane is an important adjuvant for successful closure of macular holes.

Comparison of recombinant transforming growth factor-beta-2 and placebo as an adjunctive agent for macular hole surgery

Objective This study aimed to compare the visual and anatomic results of macular hole surgery in eyes treated with recombinant transforming growth factor-beta-2 (TGF-β 2) or placebo. Design The design was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical study. Participants One hundred thirty eyes with idiopathic macular holes of 1 year or less and a refracted Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual acuity of 20/80 or worse were treated with 1.1 μg recombinant TGFβ 2 or placebo to the macular hole after fluid-gas exchange. Intervention The effect of recombinant TGF-β 2 as an adjunctive agent for macular hole surgery was evaluated. Main outcome measures Closure of the macular hole and change in visual acuity at 3 months were measured. Results The 3-month visits were completed for 120 eyes. The macular hole was closed at 3 months in 35 (61.4%) of 57 eyes treated with placebo and 49 (77.8%) of 63 eyes treated with recombinant TGF-β 2 ( P = 0.08). The mean visual acuity gain was +6.4 letters in eyes receiving placebo and +8.9 letters in eyes treated with recombinant TGF-β 2 ( P = 0.27). Visual acuity improved 2 or more lines in 23 (40.4%) of 57 eyes treated with placebo and 30 (47.6%) of 63 eyes treated with recombinant TGF-β 2 ( P = 0.42). Intraocular pressure elevation greater than 30 mmHg was more common 2 weeks after surgery in eyes treated with recombinant TGF-β 2 ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Recombinant TGF-β 2 resulted in a similar proportion of successful closure of macular holes as placebo. There was no statistically significant visual acuity benefit with the use of recombinant TGF-β 2 for the treatment of macular holes.

Functional assessment of macular hole surgery by scanning laser ophthalmoscopy

Objective This study aimed to evaluate more precisely the benefit of macular hole surgery. Design The design was a prospective study of 40 eyes in 40 patients examined before and after surgery of full-thickness macular holes with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO). Participants Forty patients with full-thickness macular holes participated. Three of the holes were stage 2, 23 were stage 3, and 14 were stage 4. Intervention The SLO examination consisted of macular imaging and assessment of macular function using tests produced by an acousto-optical modulator. Main outcome measures Preferred retinal locus (PRL) was determined, visual acuity was measured, and scotoma was detected by microscotometry and by the line test (modified Watzke-Allen test). Results Anatomic success was achieved in 32 of 40 cases as assessed biomicroscopically. On SLO examination before surgery, macular holes were seen as a central bright round disc outlined by a thin dark edge surrounded by a dark ring and a less dark area with ill-defined limits. In all cases, the PRL was located on the upper edge of the hole, a scotoma was always detected inside the hole, and the line was seen as broken in 26 of 32 cases. After surgery, the hole closed completely in 25 of 32 eyes; it disappeared from 14 of these 25 eyes and was replaced by a dark or clear disc in 11. In the other seven successful cases, its size shrank and its edge flattened but remained faintly visible. The hole remained unchanged in eight cases. Eccentric PRL became central in 28 of 32 cases. The scotoma disappeared in 23 of 32 cases. The line was seen as continuous in 24 of 32 cases. Complete anatomic and functional successes were achieved in 19 of the 32 cases of macular hole closure. Conclusion The SLO examination allows accurate assessment of the anatomic and functional results of macular hole surgery. Various degrees of functional success were recorded, depending on the test used.

Objective morphological assessment of macular hole surgery by scanning laser tomography

AIMTo assess the morphological change in retinal topography using a scanning laser tomographer following macular hole surgery. To compare the results of scanning laser tomography with clinical evaluation and visual...

The results of vitreous surgery for chronic macular holes

To evaluate the visual and anatomic results of macular hole surgery in eyes that have had symptoms of a macular hole for 2 years or longer. Fifty-one eyes with chronic macular holes (> or = 2 years' duration) were treated in a retrospective analysis of the results of vitrectomy, 16% perfluoropropane gas tamponade, and one of three adjunctive agents (bovine transforming growth factor beta-2, recombinant transforming growth factor beta-2, or autologous platelet extract). Of 51 eyes, 45 (88.2%) were examined 3 months after surgery. Visual acuity of these 45 eyes was measured preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity chart. Twenty-eight eyes (62.2%) had no prior vitrectomy and 17 eyes (37.8%) had a prior vitrectomy for the macular hole that failed. The macular holes had a mean duration of 3.7 years and were successfully closed in 32 of 51 total eyes (62.7%) and 32 of 45 eyes (71.1%) that were examined 3 months after surgery. The mean preoperative visual acuity was 20/100 -2 and the mean visual acuity at 3 months was 20/80 for a mean gain of 6.6 ETDRS letters (+ 1.3 lines). Of 45 eyes, 17 (37.8%) were 20/63 or better 3 months after surgery; 21 (46.7%) gained 2 or more ETDRS lines. There was no statistically significant difference in macular hole closure (P = 0.311) or visual acuity change (P = 0.095) in eyes with or without prior vitreous surgery. Eyes with macular holes between 2-2.99 years experienced a somewhat better anatomic and functional result overall than eyes with macular hole from 3-14 years, duration, but the visual acuity change was not statistically significant (P = 0.187). There was substantial variability in visual improvement among eyes with successful closure of the chronic macular hole. Macular holes of > or = 2 years' duration may be more difficult to close successfully than are more recent macular holes, and the visual improvement appears to be less favorable. Many eyes with chronic macular holes in our study gained substantial visual acuity, so vitreous surgery can be considered in selected eyes with chronic macular holes based on visual needs.