Types of macular hole closure and their clinical implications

AIMS: To evaluate the clinical significance of macular hole closure types assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: This study involved 34 eyes of 32 patients who had undergone anatomically successful idiopathic macular hole surgery. The closed macular holes were categorised into two patterns based on OCT; type 1 closure (closed without foveal neurosensory retinal defect) and type 2 closure (closed with foveal neurosensory retinal defect). Association between visual prognosis, type of hole closure, and possible prognostic factors were analysed. RESULTS: 19 eyes (61.3%) were classified into the type 1 closure and 12 eyes (38.7%) into the type 2 closure. The extent of postoperative visual improvement of type 1 closure group was larger than that of type 2 closure group (p=0.002). The preoperative macular hole size of type 2 closure group was significantly larger than that of type 1 closure group (p=0.006). The duration of symptoms was positively correlated with the preoperative macular hole size (p=0.01). Recurrence of macular hole occurred only in the type 2 closure group. CONCLUSION: The type of macular hole closure, which was influenced by the preoperative hole diameter, was associated with postoperative visual prognosis. Early detection and intervention in macular hole should be emphasised.     

Macular hole surgery in high myopia

PURPOSE: 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. DESIGN: Retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty eyes of 18 highly myopic subjects who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for macular holes. METHODS: 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. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Macular hole closure rate and mean visual acuity preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.     

外伤性黄斑裂孔的频域光相干断层扫描观察

目的:探讨外伤性黄斑裂孔的频域光相干断层扫描的形态特征及临床价值.方法:我院2008-01/2011-01经采用国际标准视力表、裂隙灯显微镜、直接及间接检眼镜、三面镜确诊的外伤性黄斑裂孔患者29例29眼,进行频域光相干视网膜断层扫描(FD-OCT)检查,分析其图像特征.结果:患者29例29眼中黄斑板层裂孔3例3眼(10%),OCT表现为黄斑区神经上皮层部分缺失;黄斑全层裂孔26例26眼(90%),OCT图像均可见黄斑区神经上皮层全层缺失.其中黄斑全层裂孔中单纯性黄斑裂孔3例3眼;黄斑全层裂孔伴孔周神经上皮层水肿6例6眼;伴神经上皮层局限性脱离5例5眼;伴黄斑区脉络膜裂伤7例7眼;伴孔周神经上皮层局部萎缩变薄3例3眼;伴视网膜前膜2例2眼.结论:频域OCT能清晰的观察到外伤性黄斑裂孔的形态及其周围组织损害,有利于外伤性黄斑裂孔的诊断及病情评估.     

闭合性眼外伤致黄斑裂孔的光相干断层扫描图像分析

目的 观察外伤性黄斑裂孔的光相干断层扫描（OCT）形态特征及其临床意义。方法 对采用国际标准视力表、裂隙灯显微镜、直接或间接检眼镜、三面镜检查确诊的74例闭合性眼外伤致黄斑裂孔患者74只眼进行光相干断层扫描（OCT）检查。利用OCT分析软件对外伤性黄斑裂孔进行定量测量,并根据OCT图像特征对外伤性黄斑裂孔进行分型。OCT检查完毕用Topcon眼底照相机进行眼底50°彩色照相。回顾分析患者黄斑裂孔与平均视力、病程、孔缘神经上皮层厚度、裂孔底径、孔径之间的相互关系。结果 74只眼的OCT图像特征可分为5种类型。其中,黄斑裂孔伴神经上皮层对称性水肿27只眼,占36.5%;黄斑裂孔伴神经上皮层不对称性水肿12只眼,占16.2%;单纯性黄斑裂孔14只眼占18.9%;黄斑裂孔伴神经上皮层局限性脱离17只眼,占23.0%;黄斑裂孔伴神经上皮层变薄4只眼,占5.4%。不同类型的黄斑裂孔之间视力比较,差异无统计学意义（F=1.574, P=0.191）;其视力与孔缘平均神经上皮层厚度呈正相关 （r＝0.342,P＝0.003）,与致伤时间、年龄、裂孔直径无明显相关关系（r＝-0.022～-0.134,P＝0.863～0.261）。黄 斑裂孔伴神经上皮层局限脱离者,病程较其它各型黄斑裂孔者病程短;病程90 d及以上的患者中,黄斑裂孔伴神经上皮层对称性水肿最多。各型黄斑裂孔的孔缘神经上皮层厚度之间比较,差异有统计学意义（F=13.921, P=0.000）。结论 外伤性黄斑裂孔可根据OCT形态特征分为5种类型,不同类型的外伤性黄斑裂孔临床特征存在差异。     

Visual and anatomical results of surgery for long standing macular holes

AIMS: To determine the visual and anatomical outcome of surgery for long standing idiopathic macular holes. METHODS: A retrospective review of 24 eyes of all 22 patients who underwent surgery for idiopathic full thickness macular holes (FTMH) symptomatic for between 1 and 3 years. Postoperative follow up was for 6 months. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuities were recorded as well as the presence of anatomical closure of the hole. RESULTS: The mean duration of symptoms was 18.21 (SD 5.42) months). Anatomical closure of the FTMH was achieved in 17 (70.8%) of the eyes at 6 months. The logMAR acuity of the group where closure was achieved improved by a mean of 0.31, equivalent to a change of Snellen acuity from 6/60 to 6/29. Where the hole remained open the acuity deteriorated by a mean logMAR of 0.11 lines, equivalent to a change of Snellen acuity from 6/60 to 5/60. Anatomical closure of the hole was associated with a significantly improved acuity over non-closure (p<0.001). The degree of visual improvement was independent of the preoperative visual acuity (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.03, p=0.888), though preoperative acuity was related to the final acuity (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.701, p<0.001). Over the study period, six patients required cataract surgery, one patient developed secondary glaucoma, and one a retinal detachment. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy with intraocular gas tamponade and postoperative posturing is a well tolerated and effective intervention for long standing macular holes. Anatomical closure of the macular hole is associated with a significant improvement in visual acuity.     

Functional changes measured with SLO in idiopathic macular holes and in macular changes secondary to premacular fibrosis. Function in macular holes

Aim: To evaluate fundus perimetry and laser scanning tomography in idiopathic macular holes and premacular fibrosis and to describe specific functional findings of the adjacent retina. Patients and methods: Thirty eyes of 30 patients with macular holes and epiretinal membranes (visual acuity 0.05–0.5) aged 64 ± 13 years were examined using automaticthreshold fundus perimetry with simultaneous observation of fixation, as well as a special fixation task with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO). In addition, area and depth of the holes were measured using scanning laser tomography (Heidelberg retina tomograph). Results: All 21 eyes with full thickness macular holes (0.06–0.75 mm² area; 0.06–0.53 mm depth) showed an absolute scotoma inside of the hole with location of the fixation area at the left border or top of the hole. In contrast, the patients with impending holes or epiretinal membranes (0.14–0.32 mm² area, 0.09–0.17 mm depth) could detect bright stimuli during perimetry (10–20 dB and 3–9 dB, respectively). We observed a reduced light increment sensibility (4–13 dB) surrounding the full thickness hole in 15 eyes, either with attached or detached retina. Conclusions: Fundus perimetry with simultaneous documentation of fixation offers the option to detect functional differences between macular holes and changes secondary to epiretinal membrane formation. There is an area of reduced function even in eyes with clinically and tomographically attached retina surrounding the hole which might influence surgical results.     

Association of preoperative photoreceptor displacement and improved central scotoma after idiopathic macular hole surgery

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between preoperative photoreceptor displacement and postoperative scotoma after unilateral idiopathic macular hole surgery. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized comparative self-controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients who underwent successful surgery for unilateral idiopathic macular hole participated in the study. METHODS: Kinetic perimetry using red and green filter glasses, black binocular fixation targets, and red and green selective monocular stimuli was performed preoperatively. Scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) microperimetry was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had photoreceptor displacement preoperatively. In preoperative SLO microperimetry, all eyes with a macular hole had a scotoma; postoperatively, 12 of 16 had no scotoma. All four eyes with no preoperative photoreceptor displacement were noted to have a postoperative scotoma. The prevalence of postoperative scotoma in patients with preoperative photoreceptor displacement (4 of 16; 25%) was significantly lower than that in patients without preoperative photoreceptor displacement (4 of 4; 100%) (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The presence or absence of photoreceptor displacement preoperatively should affect postsurgical visual function. Photoreceptor damage may occur in eyes without photoreceptor displacement preoperatively, resulting in scotoma postoperatively.     

Optical coherence tomographic findings of macular holes and retinal detachment after vitrectomy in highly myopic eyes

PURPOSE: Macular holes cause retinal detachments in highly myopic eyes. Because degenerative macular changes often coexist, biomicroscopic evaluation of macular hole status after retinal reattachment is sometimes difficult. We studied macular holes with retinal detachment after vitrectomy using optical coherence tomography and evaluated the anatomic status of the hole and factors associated with anatomic success. DESIGN: Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative study. PATIENTS: Sixteen eyes that underwent vitrectomy for retinal detachment associated with a macular hole were included. Internal limiting membrane peeling with indocyanine green was performed in 14 eyes; the epiretinal membrane was peeled with a diamond-dusted membrane scraper alone in two eyes. All retinas reattached postoperatively. The follow-up period at the optical coherence tomography examination was at least 6 months. METHODS: Optical coherence tomography was performed vertically and horizontally, and the presence of a persistent macular hole was determined. Other information was obtained from patient records. RESULTS: The macular holes closed in seven of 16 eyes (44%). Age, sex, axial length, preoperative best-corrected visual acuity, duration of symptoms, preoperative refractive error, and the preoperative area of the retinal detachment were not significantly correlated with hole closure. Improved postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (P <.05) was significantly associated with macular hole closure, and more frequent visual improvement (P =.06) was of borderline significance. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate was lower than those obtained in eyes without myopia or in myopic macular holes without retinal detachments. Macular hole closure may predict improved visual outcome for patients with retinal detachment and macular holes. Optical coherence tomography detects persistent macular holes in highly myopic eyes with retinal detachment.     

特发性黄斑裂孔的光学相干断层扫描图像特征

目的 观察特发性黄斑裂孔的光学相干断层扫描(optical coherence tomography,OCT)图像的形态特征。 方法 对65例直接检眼镜或三面镜检查诊断为特发性黄斑裂孔的患者的70只患眼进行OCT、眼底彩色照相和/或荧光素眼底血管造影(fundus fluorescein angiography,FFA)检查,结合临床特征对OCT图像进行分析。 结果 70只眼中,1,2,3,4期黄斑裂孔分别为11,12,36,11只眼。OCT图像特征1期者表现为黄斑中心凹变浅或消失,神经上皮层浅脱离,中心凹平均厚度为(324.55±139.92)μm;2期者为视网膜表层部分缺失伴小的视网膜组织全层缺损,裂孔的表面有一个可贴附的盖,裂孔平均孔径为(241.75±107.08)μm;3期者为神经上皮层全层缺损,游离盖或无盖,裂孔周围可伴有不同程度囊样水肿,裂孔孔径为(699.78±160.99)μm;4期者图像特征与3期相似,但伴黄斑区和视盘玻璃体后脱离,裂孔孔径(631.36±243.46)μm。 结论 OCT能直观、清晰地显示特发性黄斑裂孔的横截面形态特征,同时能精确地测量裂孔的大小。 (中华眼底病杂志, 1999, 15: 205-208)     

The residual epiretinal membrane after vitrectomy for macular hole

· Background: We retrospectively observed idiopathic macular holes in 63 eyes using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope, in order to study the relation between postoperative epiretinal membranes and closure of macular holes following vitrectomy. · Methods: The eyes were classified into three groups based on the degree of the postoperative epiretinal membranes. Group I consisted of 23 eyes with no epiretinal membrane remaining on the retina after vitrectomy. Group II consisted of 20 eyes in which epiretinal membranes were observed on the retina, but separate from the edge of the macular hole. Group III consisted of 20 eyes in which epiretinal membranes were observed at the edge of the macular hole. Using these three groups, we studied how postoperative epiretinal membranes were related to the closure of macular holes. · Results: All macular holes (100%) in groups I and II were closed following vitrectomy. In group III, 5 (25.0%) of 20 eyes had complete closure and 13 eyes (65.0%) had incomplete closure of the macular hole, while 2 eyes (10.0%) had re-opening of initially closed macular holes several months after vitrectomy. · Conclusion: Residual postoperative epiretinal membranes at the edge of macular hole are responsible for primary failure of vitrectomy. Removal of epiretinal tissues around the macular hole is important for macular hole to be closed following vitrectomy. Received: 7 July 1998 Revised version received: 7 October 1998 Accepted: 22 October 1998     

Predictors of success in macular hole surgery with emphasis on the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and ILM peeling.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study the predictors of success in macular hole surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 21 patients underwent macular hole surgery. The hole closure rate and the visual improvement were studied based on the preoperative visual acuity, stage and duration of the macular hole, the type of intravitreal tamponade used, and internal limiting membrane peeling. The internal limiting membrane was peeled only when it was clinically prominent. RESULTS: Macular holes were closed in 19 of the 22 eyes and visual improvement of 2 lines or more was achieved in 17 eyes. Preoperative visual acuity, duration of the macular hole, type of intraocular tamponade used, and internal limiting membrane peeling did not affect the outcome. A final visual acuity of 20/70 or better was more common after surgery for stage 2 holes (P = .019). CONCLUSION: The best predictor of outcome was the stage of the hole, with best results obtained in stage 2 holes.     

Indocyanine green enhanced maculorhexis in macular hole surgery

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the usefulness of staining the internal limiting membrane (ILM) with a solution of indocyanine green (ICG) to facilitate the removal of ILM in eyes with idiopathic macular hole. METHODS: Eighteen patients underwent vitrectomy with the removal of posterior cortical vitreous, induction of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), ICG-enhanced removal of the macular ILM, and fluid-gas exchange, followed by facedown positioning. RESULTS: Fifteen (83.33%) of the macular holes were closed at 3 months postoperatively. The visual outcome was relatively better in holes smaller than 400 microns in diameter, as compared to bigger macular holes (more than 400 microns in diameter). Of the 18 eyes, 9 (50%) recorded visual improvement of 2 or more lines over the preoperative level. CONCLUSION: Our results show the safety and usefulness of this technique in visualization of the ILM during macular hole surgery, thereby leading to successful removal of optimal amount of ILM, with minimum damage to the retina.     

Retreatment of full-thickness macular hole: predictive value of optical coherence tomography

AIM: To determine whether the efficacy of re-operation for idiopathic full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) remaining open after initial surgery with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling is correlated with macular hole configuration as determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT), macular hole size, macular hole duration before the first operation, or type of tamponade (gas or silicone oil). METHODS: A retrospective consecutive interventional case series of 28 patients (28 eyes) with a persisting macular hole after vitrectomy, ILM peel, and gas tamponade. 28 patients underwent repeat surgery involving vitrectomy and gas (n = 15) or silicone oil tamponade (n = 12) or no tamponade (n = 1). Autologous platelet concentrate (n = 22), autologous whole blood (n = 1), or no adjuvant (n = 5) was used. Preoperative OCT was undertaken in all eyes. The main outcome measures were anatomical closure and improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: Anatomical closure was achieved in 19 of 28 eyes (68%). BCVA improved in 12 eyes, remained unchanged in nine, and worsened in seven. BCVA improved in 11 of 19 eyes with anatomical closure, and in one of eight eyes without closure. Anatomical closure and improvement of BCVA correlated with preoperative macular hole configuration on OCT, with higher rates of closure (18 of 20 eyes versus one of eight eyes, p = 0.001) and greater improvement of BCVA (p = 0.048) in eyes with a cuff of subretinal fluid at the break margin. Macular hole size, type of tamponade, macular hole duration before the first operation, or preoperative BCVA did not significantly correlate with visual or anatomical outcome. CONCLUSION: Macular hole configuration seems to be a strong prognostic indicator of anatomical closure and may help identify those patients most likely to benefit from re-operation.     

Optical coherence tomography of successfully repaired idiopathic macular holes

PURPOSE: To present the cross-sectional retinal imaging results of optical coherence tomography in eyes with successfully repaired idiopathic macular hole and their relevance to visual recovery. METHODS: We studied 33 eyes with successful repair of an idiopathic macular hole through vitrectomy and fluid-gas exchange from 32 patients (11 men and 21 women) with ages ranging from 48 to 78 years, with a median age of 66 years. Preoperative conditions in eyes with primary surgery disclosed nine eyes with stage 2, 14 eyes with stage 3, and four eyes with stage 4 macular hole. An additional six eyes underwent a second surgery because the previous surgery was unsuccessful. Measurement of best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy with fundus contact lens, fundus photographs, and optical coherence tomographic examination were performed between 6 and 9 months after surgery in 29 eyes and between 15 and 36 months after surgery in four eyes. RESULTS: Optical coherence tomographic images of the repaired macular holes were categorized into three patterns. U-type (normal foveal contour; 13 eyes) showed mildly to moderately backscattering layers with a smooth circular surface covering retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris layers. In eyes with V-type (steep foveal contour; 13 eyes), the retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris layers were covered with moderately backscattering layers with a notch. W-type (foveal defect of neurosensory retina; seven eyes) showed abruptly or gradually terminating sensory retinal layers to expose the surface of the retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris layers. Postoperative acuity was well correlated with these patterns of optical coherence tomographic images. CONCLUSION: Assessment of successfully repaired idiopathic macular holes with optical coherence tomographic images provides a useful correlation with postoperative visual recovery.     

玻璃体切除和自体血小板治疗特发性黄斑裂孔

目的评价玻璃体切除、浓缩自体血小板和气体眼内填充治疗全层特发性黄斑裂孔的效果。方法对6例全层特发性黄斑裂孔患者的6只眼采用玻璃体切除，剥除玻璃体后皮质，气液交换，自体血小板溶液滴于后极部，20%～30%SF6注入玻璃体腔的方法进行治疗。术后患者仰卧1小时，然后俯卧2周。结果手术后9天～12个月6只眼黄斑裂孔闭合，视网膜平复。视力改善2行以上5只眼，占83.3%，视力达到0.3以上者4只眼，占66.7%，1只眼发生周边视网膜新裂孔伴视网膜脱离。结论玻璃体切除、浓缩自体血小板和气体眼内填充可使全层特发性黄斑裂孔闭合，视力提高。(中华眼底病杂志,1998,14:14-15)     

特发性黄斑裂孔玻璃体切割手术后的视功能

目的：探讨特发性黄斑裂孔（IMH）玻璃体切割手术后的视功能状况，方法：复习并总结国内外相关文献资料，综合评述IMH玻璃体切割手术后视功能状况。结果：多数患者术后视力较术前提高2行或2行以上，并且主观感觉的视物变形和暗点，辨色力，双眼融合功能和立体视功能也有所改善，术后视野光敏度较术前有所提高；注视性质由术前的偏心注视多数恢复为主后的中心注视，然后部分患者视力的改善提高不显著甚至出现视力下降，部分患者黄斑裂孔虽然获得解剖愈合，但仍遗留某些视觉缺陷。影响术后视力和其他视功能恢复的因素是复杂的，通常与术前视力和视功能状况的好坏，病程长程，裂孔分期早期、手术方式，裂孔愈合状态以及手术合并症等诸多因素相关。结论：黄斑裂孔一旦发生，其裂孔愈合和视功能稳定的机会极少，因此多数学者主张若诊断明确应早手术封闭裂孔，评价玻璃体切割手术治疗IMH的疗效。应在解决形态愈合的基础上综合患者的视力，主观感觉及临床多项视功能进行全面评估。     

Tomographic features of early macular hole closure after vitreous surgery

PURPOSE: To report the optical coherence tomographic features of macular hole closure in the first months after vitreous surgery. METHODS: We studied prospectively the tomographic features of 28 eyes (28 patients) with idiopathic macular holes before and after vitreous surgery by optical coherence tomography. We compared the best-corrected visual acuity levels with the postoperative tomographic features. RESULTS: The 25 eyes with successfully sealed macular holes had one of two tomographic features within 1 month postoperatively: simple closure (normal foveal configuration) in 14 eyes (56%) or a bridge formation at the fovea that mimicked a foveal retinal detachment in 11 eyes (44%). It took an average of 2.0 months (range, 0.8 to 3.5 months) for the bridge tissue to attach to the retinal pigment epithelium. Best-corrected visual acuity quickly improved in the former group; visual improvement began 1 month after attachment of the bridge tissue in the latter group. A closed hole reopened 4 months postoperatively in one eye with a bridge formation. CONCLUSIONS: Idiopathic macular holes have one of two patterns early after surgical closure, simple closure or a bridge formation. Visual improvement starts after the fovea assumes a normal configuration. The bridge formation appears to reflect an early phase and fragile condition in the anatomic closure of macular holes.     

黄斑裂孔玻璃体手术

目的 复习一组采用玻璃体手术无辅助治疗黄斑裂孔病例的解剖和视力结果。方法 对１６例（特发性黄斑裂孔１４眼和外伤性黄斑裂孔２眼）玻璃体切割、液－气交换和全氟丙烷（Ｃ３Ｆ８）气体填充者进行回顾性分析。结果 平均随访７ｍｏ,有１５眼（９３％）获得黄斑裂孔解剖愈合,仅１眼还需要做２次手术,术后视力３眼（１９％）０．４,４眼（２５％）０．２～０．３,９眼（５６％）０．１或以下。结论 玻璃体切割术眼内注气和术后面向下体位是一可耐受而有效的治疗特发必开一些外伤性黄斑裂孔的方法,特发性黄斑裂孔和外伤性黄斑裂孔行玻璃体手术无辅助性治疗可得到解剖成功。大多数术眼黄斑裂孔的解剖闭合可伴有视力的明显增进。     

Outcome results in macular hole surgery with internal limiting membrane removal

PURPOSE: To determine the visual outcome and anatomic closure rate of macular hole surgery using pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty three eyes of 52 consecutive patients with a full-thickness idiopathic macular holes (stage 3 or 4). All eyes underwent a pars plana vitrectomy including separation of the posterior hyaloid, ILM peeling with trypan blue (TB) or indocyanine green (ICG) and gas endo-tamponade with instructions to the patient, to be face down for 4-5 days. Postoperative anatomic results, visual acuity (VA), and complications were recorded. The follow-up was 3 to 22 months. RESULTS: VA improved postoperatively in 45 eyes (84.9%), at least two lines on the Snellen chart in 24 eyes (45.3%). It remained unchanged in 6 eyes (11.3%) and deteriorated in 2 eyes (3.80%). The mean preoperative VA was 0.1 +/- 0.04 and does not differ significantly between stage 3 and 4. The improvement of postoperative VA was statistically significantly better in stage 3, in comparison to stage 4. The anatomical success rate (flat/closed) was 88.7% (47 eyes). There were no differences in VA improvement between TB- or ICG-stained eyes. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Vitrectomy with ILM removal in macular holes provides with meaning improvement in visual acuity. 2. Patients with macular hole in stage 3 have a better prognosis for visual rehabilitation. 3. A kind of dye and preoperative VA do not influence postoperative visual function improvement.     

Indocyanine green assisted retinal internal limiting membrane removal in stage 3 or 4 macular hole surgery

AIMS: To determine surgical outcome in primary idiopathic stage 3 or 4 macular holes with indocyanine green (ICG) assisted retinal internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. METHODS: A prospective, consecutive, interventional case series with 41 eyes of 40 patients was included. No patient defaulted follow up. Besides a standard macular hole surgery, all eyes received ICG assisted ILM removal of 3-4 disc diameters around macular holes. At the end of the surgery, 12% perfluoropropane gas was used. A face down posture for 2 weeks was required postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean follow up period was 15.1 months (range 6-24 months). Twenty (48.8%) eyes had stage 3 macular holes and 21 (51.2%) had stage 4 macular holes. The overall median duration of holes was 11 months. 19 (46.3%) were chronic macular holes of more than 12 months' duration. The anatomical success rates after one surgery was 87.8% (36 eyes), while that of chronic and non-chronic ones was 78.9% and 95.5%, respectively. The median preoperative and postoperative visual acuity was 20/200 (range 20/60 to counting fingers) and 20/100 (range 20/20 to 20/400), respectively. 24 (58.5%) eyes had improvement of two or more Snellen lines. The mean was 3.2 lines (range two to nine lines), with 3.6 lines and 2.7 lines for non-chronic and chronic holes, respectively. For all the 41 eyes, 16 (39%) eyes had a final visual acuity of 20/50 or better. CONCLUSION: ICG assisted retinal ILM removal, in idiopathic primary chronic and non-chronic stage 3 or 4 macular hole surgery, appears to give a promising anatomical closure rate without compromising the visual result.