Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images of inner/outer segment junctions and macular hole surgery outcomes

Background  To evaluate the ability of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images of the inner/outer segment (IS/OS) junction to predict macular hole surgery outcomes. Methods  Fifty-four eyes in 53 patients with idiopathic macular holes were studied. Postoperative visual acuity and SD-OCT images of the fovea were examined before and 12 months after surgery. The total area and the maximum length of the IS/OS junction defect were measured. Results  The macular holes were successfully closed in all the eyes included in this series. The mean logMAR visual acuity improved significantly from 0.67 ± 0.25 preoperatively to 0.16 ± 0.22 postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean total area and maximum length of the IS/OS junction defect at 12 months after surgery were 10,185 ± 1,537 μm² and 100.5 ± 10.4 μm respectively; these values were significantly negatively correlated with the postoperative visual acuity. Conclusion  SD-OCT is useful for quantitatively measuring IS/OS junction defects. The postoperative IS/OS junction may play an important role in visual recovery after macular hole surgery. Financial support None. The authors have no proprietary interest in the material used in this study.