Small Full-thickness Macular Hole Research Articles

Medical Therapy for Large Idiopathic Full-Thickness Macular Holes.

To describe the characteristics and outcomes of eyes with idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) that underwent initial medical management. This retrospective study included eyes with FTMH that were initially managed with one month of topical therapy. Eligible subjects were treated with dorzolamide 2% three times a day, nepafenac 0.1% twice a day, and prednisolone acetate 1% four times a day. The primary endpoints was hole closure at one month and secondary endpoint was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Ten subjects (mean age: 62.80 years; female: 50%) with unilateral FTMH were studied. The mean basal diameter of the entire cohort at baseline was 824.1 µm (median 828 µm). Four (40%) of the smaller holes (mean 698 µm; median 698.50 µm) closed after one month of topical therapy, whereas larger holes (mean 908.17µm; median 889.50 µm) did not close. In one eye, the hole reopened 4 months after stopping the medication, but closed again at one month after re-starting the topical treatment. Median BCVA improved from 0.35 logMAR at baseline to 0.05 logMAR in eyes that closed but remained at 0.70 logMAR at one month in eyes that did not close. Topical corticosteroid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor therapy may promote closure of small FTMHs, but large holes are less likely to respond. One month of topical therapy might avoid subjecting some patients to complex vitreo-retinal surgery without compromising visual outcomes. Macular hole may re-open after stopping the topical therapy.

Inverted internal limiting membrane flap for small-sized (

To compare the anatomical and functional outcome of small (<250 μm) and medium (250-400 μm) full thickness macular holes (FTMHs) treated either with internal limiting membrane (ILM) inverted flap (IF) or with the standard technique. Retrospective longitudinal analysis of successfully operated eyes with small or intermediate FTMH. Outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), microperimetric sensitivity (with fixation stability) and restoration of the external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) at 6 months. Fifty small and 50 intermediate eyes with FTMH were included, half of each group (25) treated with the standard technique, half with IF. BCVA increased in every subgroup, similarly within the same stage regardless the technique. Small FTMH treated with IF disclosed inferior foveal sensitivity at 6 months (20.79±0.48 dB) compared to the standard technique (21.51±0.79 dB; p=0.0035). At 1-month, inferior rates of ELM (24%) and EZ (24%) restoration were also found, compared to the standard technique (56% ELM p=0.0420; 64% EZ p=0.0095). At 6 months, both ELM and EZ were similarly restored. The surgical repair of small FMTH with ILM inverted flap appear to delay the foveal structural repair and to gain an inferior foveal sensitivity compared to the standard technique.

Устранение витреомакулярного тракционного синдрома на глазах, ранее оперированных по поводу отслойки сетчатки

Aims. Evaluate the efficiency of ILM peeling in the treatment of VMTS on eyes previously treated for retinal detachment. Materials and methods. 4 participants diagnosed with VMTS were enrolled in this study. There were 2 male and 2 female patients aged 30-64 y.o. who were previously surgically treated for their retinal detachment. 3 patients had rhegmatogenous and 1 patient had traumatic tractional retinal detachment with the mean duration of 5.75 years. 3 eyes undergone scleral buckling following subretinal fluid drainage, 1 eye underwent cataract phacoemulsification with an implantation of IOL + closed vitrectomy + pneumatic retinopexy + endolaser retinal photocoagulation + silicone oil, insertion following silicone oil removal from the vitreous cavity. All patients had some degree of myopia as well as peripheral retinal degenerations. 2 patients were diagnosed with epiretinal fibrosis and 2 other with stage 2 small full-thickness macular hole. Mean BCVA before surgery was 0.078, mean central retinal thickness was 390,25 um, small full-thickness macular hole diameter was about 320 um. Before the surgery, all patients undergone cycloscopy, where there were no indications for the additional laser photocoagulation. 3 patients underwent posterior vitrectomy 25G and 1 patient had 25G ports placed on his eye with the peeling of ILM and usage of pneumatic retinopexy, 2 eyes underwent cataract phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. Results and discussion. All surgical interventions were done without any complications. Since there were conjunctival scars left after the previous surgeries, conjunctiva did not show any displacement during the sclerotomy procedures, which led to the formation of post-sclerotomy holes. This fact forced us to make knot sutures, which resulted in foreign body sensations in our patients during the post-op period. Intraoperatively, all patients had their ILM removed, which was proved by OCT in the post-op period. Mean BCVA after operations was 0.3. Mean Central retinal thickness was 314 um based on OCT data in the post-op period. Patients were recommended to undergo cycloscopy 1 month after the surgery and then twice every year. There were no retinal detachment relapse observed in the post-op period. Conclusion: 1. Removal of ILM in patients, that were previously operated due to retinal detachment, is considered as an effective method in the treatment of VMTS. It is clinically manifested as visual acuity improvement, retinal thickness reduction, lamellar hole closure and the absence of full thickness macular hole formation risk in the early and late post-op periods. No retinal detachment relapses were observed. 2. Presence of conjunctival scars following previous retinal detachment surgical interventions leads to the hole formation following sclerotomy procedures, which causes foreign body sensations in patients during the post-op period. 3. Endovitreal surgical intervention for the retinal detachment should include ILM peeling to prevent formation of VMTS in the post-op period. Key words: vitreomacular traction syndrome (VMTS), Internal limiting membrane (ILM), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment ( RRD), optic coherence tomography (OCT).

Prognostic Factors Associated with Ocriplasmin Efficacy for the Treatment of Symptomatic Vitreomacular Adhesion and Full-thickness Macular Hole: Analysis from Four Studies.

PurposeTo assess the effect of patient baseline characteristics on the efficacy of ocriplasmin treatment for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA) with full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) from phase 3/4 studies.MethodsPatients with symptomatic VMA and FTMH at baseline and receiving ocriplasmin treatment 125 g were pooled from the MIVI-TRUST, OASIS, and ORBIT studies. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate whether patient baseline characteristics were predictors of having VMA resolution by Day 28 and FTMH closure by Month 6.ResultsTwo hundred and seventy-four patients receiving ocriplasmin treatment were assessed. Overall, 22.6% (62/274) of the patients experienced both VMA resolution by Day 28 and non-surgical FTMH closure by Month 6. Patients with FTMH 250 µm at baseline had a significantly higher success rate compared to those with FTMH 400 µm (29.9% [41/137] vs 2.2% [1/48]; P = 0.009). In patients with VMA resolution by Day 28, both small FTMH size (P = 0.001) and FTMH width at RPE (P = 0.012) were significantly associated with a higher FTMH closure rate. Patients with VMA resolution had higher rates of FTMH closure. Previously identified baseline predictive factors, including age, lens status, or presence of epiretinal membrane (ERM) were not found to be predictive of both VMA release and FTMH closure.ConclusionThe analysis revealed that FMTH 250 µm was the only factor predictive for achieving both pharmacological VMA resolution by Day 28 and nonsurgical FTMH closure by Month 6; neither lens status or presence of ERM, previously identified baseline characteristics favoring VMA resolution, showed statistically significant predictive power for both outcomes.

Degenerative lamellar macular holes: tractional development and morphological alterations

PurposeThe development of degenerative lamellar macular holes (DLH) is largely unclear. This study was aimed at documenting with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography the tractional development and morphological alterations of DLH.MethodsA retrospective case series of 44 eyes of 44 patients is described.ResultsThe development of DLH is preceded for months or years by tractional deformations of the fovea due to the action of contractile epiretinal membranes (ERM) and/or the partially detached posterior hyaloid, or by cystoid macular edema (CME). DLH may develop after a tractional stretching and thickening of the foveal center, from a foveal pseudocyst, after a detachment of the foveola from the retinal pigment epithelium, a disruption of the foveal structure due to CME, and after surgical treatment of tractional lamellar or full-thickness macular holes (FTMH). The foveal configuration of a DLH can be spontaneously reestablished after short transient episodes of CME and a small FTMH. A DLH can evolve to a FTMH by traction of an ERM. Surgical treatment of a DLH may result in an irregular regeneration of the foveal center without photoreceptors.ConclusionsTractional forces play an important role in the development of DLH and in the further evolution to FTMH. It is suggested that a DLH is the result of a retinal wound repair process after a tractional disruption of the Müller cell cone and a degeneration of Henle fibers, to prevent a further increase in the degenerative cavitations.

Macular Hole Closure with Medical Treatment

Here we present a case series of full thickness macular holes (FTMHs) that closed with topical medical therapy. We see this technique as a promising alternative to surgery, especially in small FTMHs with cystoid hydration.

Microstructural retinal changes after pharmacological vitreolysis with ocriplasmin-an SD-OCT supported analysis

Ocriplasmin (Jetrea®) is a therapeutic option for patients with focal vitreomacular traction (VMT) with or without small full thickness macular holes (FTMH) < 400 µm. Retinal alterations after injection with ocriplasmin have been described. The purpose of this essay was to determine Ocriplasmin-associated side-effects and changes in the retinal microstructure. We included 70patients with ocriplasmin treatment in our study. On all patients SD-OCT (spectral-domain optical coherence tomography) scans were performed prior to injection with Ocriplasmin. If present, adverse events were registered. The OCT scans were then evaluated taking the following into account: macular hole (MH) size, macular edema, subretinal fluid (SRF), changes in the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and the external limiting membrane (ELM). Twenty of the 70 examined patients showed a preoperative FTMH. One week after ocriplasmin IVI (intravitreal injection) 8 of the 20FTMHs were already closed. Overall 12patients showed a FTMH closure and 4patients developed a FTMH after ocriplasmin IVI. Twelve of the 24MH (macular hole) patients still required an operative closure of the FTMH. We noticed a resolution of the VMT on 51patients. Three patients developed a retinal detachment. Furthermore, after ocriplasmin IVI we detected changes in the EZ and ELM on 8patients. Ocriplasmin is a substantial minimal invasive option in the therapy of VMT with or without small FTMH. Nevertheless, there seem to be some specific ocriplasmin-associated risks, although usually transient. Severe complications like retinal detachment are rare but exist. Therefore, every indication of ocriplasmin should be considered carefully.

Macular Hole Development After Vitrectomy for Floaters: A Case Report.

IntroductionThe purpose of this report is to describe a case of macular hole development after vitrectomy for floaters with induction of posterior vitreous detachment.Case ReportA 44-year-old otherwise healthy man presented with visually debilitating floaters in his right eye; these had been present for more than 2 years. Preoperative examination was unremarkable in both eyes, apart from some degree of vitreous degeneration in the right eye. Preoperative visual acuity was 20/20 bilaterally. A 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless pars plana complete vitrectomy with induction of posterior vitreous detachment was performed in the right eye. Upon examination 1 month after surgery, a small full-thickness macular hole was detected in the right eye. Visual acuity was diminished to 20/80. The macular hole was closed after a second vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade.ConclusionMacular hole development should be listed as a possible complication of vitrectomy for visually debilitating floaters when a posterior vitreous detachment is induced during surgery.

Assessment of intravitreal ocriplasmin treatment for vitreomacular traction in clinical practice.

To assess treatment effects following intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin for vitreomacular traction (VMT), with or without full-thickness macular hole (FTMH), in real-life setting. This is a monocentric, retrospective, consecutive series of 82 eyes from 82 patients who underwent ocriplasmin treatment between July 2013 and December 2016. We included 57 eyes with pure VMT, 17 eyes with small FTMHs, and eight eyes with medium FTMHs. Primary outcome measures were VMT release and MH closure rates. Secondary outcomes were visual acuity (VA), morphological changes, and subjective visual impairment after 1, 3, and 6months and at last follow-up. After a median follow-up of 10months, VMT release was achieved by pharmacologic vitreolysis in 57% of all eyes, whereas the macular hole closure rate was 32%. In those presenting with five or more positive prognostic factors (PPF), eyes with pure VMT showed nonsurgical traction release in 88%, and FTMHs were released in 93%, with a closure rate of 20%. Small FTMHs closed in 41% and medium FTMHs in 13%. The mean change in VA (LogMAR) was -0.07±0.24 (median-0.10) in all eyes. Subretinal fluid accumulation and ellipsoid zone changes were seen in 31% and 37% of all eyes, respectively. They were more frequent in eyes with traction release, but were self-limited. In a real-life setting, release of VMT by ocriplasmin injection can be achieved in the majority of eyes, relying on a strict patient selection. Closure of FTMHs rather correlates with hole diameter than with presence of PPF, and remains a rare finding in medium FTMHs.

Real world outcomes of ocriplasmin use by members of the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons.

PurposeTo describe a survey of the use of ocriplasmin by members of the British and Eire Association of VitreoRetinal Surgeons (BEAVRS) for VitreoMacular Traction (VMT) and Full Thickness Macular Hole (FTMH) and compare it to published MIVI TRUST trial data.MethodsAll 173 BEAVRS members were contacted by email in October 2014 requesting data on all cases treated with ocriplasmin up to that date. The total number of cases, FTMH closure rate, VMT release rate and the frequency of adverse events were recorded. Results were compared with trial data.Results48 members responded reporting results from 241 eyes. The respective BEAVRS and MIVI TRUST trial closure rates for small FTMHs were 42.1 and 58.3% (P=0.09) and for medium FTMH 12.7 and 36.7% (P=0.01). The respective VMT release rates were 34.1 and 37.4% (P=NS). Retinal detachment was observed in 3.3% of the BEAVRS cohort compared with 0.4% in MIVI TRUST. Reduction in visual acuity to <6/60 was observed in 5.8% of the BEAVRS cohort and 0.6% in MIVI TRUST. Other complications not reported in the MIVI TRUST trial included an increase in FTMH basal diameter following unsuccessful ocriplasmin use in 46.9% of BEAVRS cases and zonular instability at the time of subsequent phacoemulsification in 2.4%.ConclusionMacular hole closure rates were lower in the BEAVRS survey than published in the MIVI TRUST trial data. The incidence of adverse events was greater than previously reported. The reasons for these disparities are unknown but could include positive reporting bias inherent to retrospective surveys, treatment and population differences.

Cells at the vitreoretinal interface in small full-thickness macular holes.

To report on total number, distribution, and type of cells at the vitreomacular interface in small full-thickness macular holes. Internal limiting membrane specimens were removed from 20 consecutive patients with macular holes <250 μm at times when pharmacologic vitreolysis was not available. Specimens were flat mounted and investigated by phase contrast and interference microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Clinical data were documented including optical coherence tomography analysis using the caliper function. Thirteen antibodies were used for glial cells, hyalocytes, macrophages, retinal pigment epithelial cells, different types of collagen, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and proliferating cells. There was a positive correlation between macular hole size and cell density at the internal limiting membrane (Spearman's Rho: r = 0.519, P = 0.019). Mostly, single glial cells were found on the internal limiting membrane. In five patients, cell clusters were present. There was a strong immunoreactivity for glial cell markers. Immunoreactivity of hyalocyte markers, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and Ki-67 was found in cell clusters but otherwise sparse. Single cells of glial origin without signs of proliferation or contraction are present in eyes with small full-thickness macular holes. In some eyes, however, clusters of cells can be seen, capable of proliferation and exerting tangential traction. Our findings emphasize the need for better visualization of the vitreoretinal pathology by optical coherence tomography, especially to distinguish between single cells and cell clusters.

Effect of Optical Coherence Tomography Scan Pattern and Density on the Detection of Full-Thickness Macular Holes

To evaluate the impact of different scan patterns and scan densities on small full-thickness macular hole (MH) detection. Retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Analysis was performed on 25 eyes from 24 patients with full-thickness MHs imaged with the Heidelberg Spectralis HRA+OCT. Included eyes underwent concurrent imaging with a standard (61-line) raster volume and a 24-line radial pattern. A 6-line radial scan pattern was extrapolated from the higher-density radial pattern. Comparisons of the missed hole rate as well as the proportion of individual B-scans demonstrating a full-thickness defect (termed "full-thickness detection index") were carried out for the 3 scan patterns. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative hole parameters were evaluated to identify factors associated with "missed" holes. Full-thickness defects were missed at substantially higher rates using both standard raster volume (20.0%, 90% confidence interval [CI] 8.2%-37.5%) and 6-line radial scanning (12.0%, 90% CI 3.7%-30.4%) when compared to 24-line radial scanning (0% for both comparisons). Full-thickness detection indices were significantly higher for both radial scan patterns when compared to raster scanning (P < .001 for both comparisons). Missed holes were smaller and commonly associated with prehole flaps. High-density radial scanning demonstrated superior detection rates of small full-thickness MHs compared to standard raster volume scanning. This finding may be attributable to the greater foveolar scan density attained with radial scan patterns. Failure to utilize radial scanning in the setting of suspected macular holes may lead to a delay in surgical treatment, with attendant worse anatomic and visual outcomes.

Spontaneous Closure of Macular Hole After Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Macular holes can be treated with surgically-induced vitreous detachment and gas tamponade. The authors report a case of a macular hole that closed spontaneously after the development of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed a small full-thickness macular hole with perifoveal cystic changes in a 25-year-old female with a central scotoma at her initial visit. There was no evidence of PVD. Five months later, PVD was observed and the macular hole disappeared. OCT performed three months later showed macular hole closure and resolution of the perifoveal cystic changes. The physiologic pit was restored in the fovea. OCT is useful to detect and monitor the morphologic changes of a macular hole.