Surgical treatments for macular hole and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment are the most common and principle procedures for vitreoretinal specialists. The surgical success rate reached 95.0% and above for vitrectomy, macular surgeries with ILM peeling, or local/total scleral buckling. However, the postoperative visual function recovery is nowhere near good enough. Specialists must pay more attention to the visual function recovery of those patients. Postoperative macular anatomical and functional rehabilitation for macular hole and scleral buckling procedures need a long period of time. At present, the postoperative visual acuity for macular hole depends on many factors, such as macular hole closure conditions, surgical procedures, microsurgical invasive ways, skills of membrane peeling, usage of dye staining, and tamponade material choice. It also depends on residual subretinal fluid under macular area for patients received scleral buckling. It is important for us to investigate these factors affecting recovery of macular anatomy and function, and thus develop some drugs to improve the macular function recovery.
ObjectiveTo investigate the factors correlated with the visual outcome of idiopathic macular holes (IMH) after vitreoretinal surgery. MethodsA total of 57 eyes of 57 patients with IMH were included. There were 43 females (43 eyes) and 14 male (14 eyes), mean age was (60.46±4.79) years. All the eyes underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), slit-lamp microscope, three-mirror contact-lens and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. BCVA were examined with interactional visual chart and recorded with logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) acuity. The minimum diameter and base diameter of macular holes and central retinal thickness (CRT) were detected by OCT. The average logMAR BCVA of 57 eyes was 0.98±0.41. The minimum diameter and base diameter of macular holes were (479.53±164.16) μm and (909.14±278.65) μm. All the patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. The mean follow-up period was (173.44±147.46) months. The relationships between final BCVA and these parameters were examined by single and multiple regression analysis. The valuable influence factors were filtrated and formulated using multiple linear regression models. ResultsAt the final follow-up, the logMAR BCVA of 57 eyes was 0.44±0.31, the CRT was (158.79±86.96) μm. The final BCVA was positive related to minimum diameter of macular holes and preoperative BCVA (r=0.420, 0.448; P=0.001, 0.000), negative related to postoperative CRT (r=-0.371, P=0.004). There was no relationship between the final BCVA and base diameter of macular holes, age and follow-up (r=0.203, -0.015, 0.000; P=0.130, 0.913, 0.999). The incidence of preoperative BCVA for postoperative BCVA was bigger than preoperative minimum diameter of macular holes (P=0.008, 0.020). ConclusionThe preoperative minimum diameter of macular holes and BCVA are related to postoperative BCVA in IMH eyes.
Objective To evaluate and compare the prognosis of idiopathic macular holes (IMH) and traumatic macular holes (TMH) treated by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).Methods The clinical data of 72 IMH eyes and 55 TMH eyes, which were treated by PPV between November 2001 and December 2007, were retrospectively reviewed. The visual outcomes and macular anatomic closure were evaluated, and their relationships with prognostic factors including the size of macular hole (MH), preoperative visual acuity (VA) and duration of disease were analyzed.Results The closure rate of IMH (100.0%) was significant higher than that of TMH (85.5%) (P=0.001). The postoperative VA of IMH and TMH were (0.25plusmn;0.02) and (0.21plusmn;0.21) respectively,both significantly increased compare to their preoperative VA (t=-6.841,-4.093; P=0.000). VAincreased IMH and TMH eyes had same VA （chi;2=3.651，P=0.07）. PrePPV VAge;0.1 IMH eyes had better outcomes than PrePPV VA＜0.1 IMH eyes （chi;2=12.04, P=0.001）, while PrePPV VA had no effects on TMH outcomes （chi;2=0.371，P=0.486）. IMH eyes with small holes had better outcomes （t=2.476，P=0.016）, and TMH eyes with small holes had better closure （t=-4.042, P＜0.001）. The duration of disease had no significant influence on TMH visual （chi;2=0.704, P=0.401） and anatomic （chi;2=0.166, P=0.684） outcomes. Conclusions PPV is an effective treatment for MH. The closure rate of IMH is higher than that of TMH. The diameter of MH and preoperative VA are major factors for IMH outcomes, and the duration of disease and preoperative VA have no effects on postoperative VA in TMH.
ObjectiveTo observe the electroretinogram (ERG) photopic negative response (PhNR) of idiopathic macular hole (IMH) in stage 2 by vitrectomy with or without internal limiting membrane peeling (ILMP).MethodsTwenty-three stage 2 IMH patients (23 eyes) were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients received the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography and flash-ERG examinations. The patients were randomly divided into group A (11 eyes, vitrectomy) and B (12 eyes, vitrectomy with ILMP). There was no significant difference in BCVA (t=0.96, P=0.350), diameter of macular hole (MH) (t=3.21, P=0.580) and the PhNR amplitude (t=0.98, P=0.353) in group A and B. All patients underwent 25G vitrectomy, ILMP was carried out in group B. The follow-up time was 3 to 6 months, with the mean follow-up time of 4.3 months. BCVA, MH closure rate and PhNR amplitude in group A and B were analyzed before and after surgery.ResultsThree months after surgery, 10 eyes (90.9%) gained MH closure but 1 eye (9.1%) failed in group A. In group B, 12 eyes (100.0%) gained MH closure. There was no significant difference in MH closure rate between the two groups (P=0.462). The mean BCVA of group A and B was 0.69±0.24 and 0.65±0.22, there was no significant difference between the two groups (t=0.49, P=0.722). The amplitude of PhNR in group A was (36.6±7.4) μV, which was lower than the pre-surgery PhNR, but the difference was not significant (t=0.73, P=0.472). The amplitude of PhNR in group B was (27.1±12.4) μV, which was lower than that the pre-surgery PhNR, and the difference was significant (t =3.56, P =0.002). The difference of PhNR amplitude in group A and B was statistically significant (t=2.17, P=0.042).ConclusionCompared with non-ILMP, vitrectomy combined with ILMP will significantly reduce the PhNR amplitude of IMH in stage 2.
ObjectiveTo observe the dynamic characteristics of visual acuity after vitrectomy in different sizes of idiopathic macular hole, and analyze the influencing factors.MethodsA retrospective study. From August 2016 to June 2018, 302 patients (302 eyes) with monocular idiopathic macular hole who underwent 25G vitrectomy combined with the internal limiting membrane peeling in Tianjin Eye Hospital were included in the study. There were 130 males and 172 females, with the mean age of 63.36±6.91 years. There were 158 left eyes and 144 right eyes. The logMAR BCVA was 1.13±0.45. The minimum diameter (422.92±211.73 μm) and basal diameter (835.47±366.42 μm) of macular hole and choroid thickness under fovea (244.84±60.68 μm) were measured by OCT. According to the minimum diameter, the holes were divided into small hole group (≤250 μm), middle hole group (＞250 μm and ≤400 μm) and large hole group (＞400 μm). The logMAR BCVA at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery in 3 groups were observed. Two-factor repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the visual acuity of the 3 groups. The generalized estimation equation (GEE) was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative visual recovery.ResultsOne month after surgery, all the holes were closed. One, 3 and 6 months after surgery, the logMAR BCVA were 0.33±0.25, 0.23±0.18, 0.16±0.17 in the small hole group; the logMAR BCVA were 0.46±0.25, 0.35±0.26, 0.27±0.28 in the middle hole group; the logMAR BCVA were 0.81±0.51, 0.61±0.48, 0.53±0.37 in the large hole group. Through repeated measurement variance analysis of two factors, it was found that there was an interaction between different groups and different time nodes (F=23.133, P＜0.01). All data were segmented and one-way repeated measure ANOVA was performed. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in visual acuity between the small hole group and the middle hole group among preoperative and 1 month after surgery (P＜0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference in visual acuity between 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery (P＞0.05). In the large hole group, among preoperative, 1 months after surgery, 3 months after surgery, the visual acuity difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05), while the visual acuity difference between 3 months after surgery and 6 months after surgery was not statistically significant (P＞0.05). The results of GEE analysis showed that hole size (χ2=4.17, P=0.04), basal diameter (χ2=7.25, P=0.01), disease course (χ2=19.26, P=0.00), and choroid thickness (χ2=4.19, P=0.04) were the influencing factors of postoperative visual acuity.ConclusionsAfter vitrectomy of macular holes of different sizes, the visual recovery trend is different. The visual recovery of small holes and middle holes is faster and basically restored at 1 month. The large holes requires a slow recovery process and stabilizes vision at 3 months. Hole size, basal diameter, course of disease and choroid thickness are the influencing factors of visual acuity recovery.
Refractory macular holes typically represent macular holes larger than 400 μm, macular holes in pathological myopic eyes or complicated with myopic schisis, chronic holes longer than 6 months, persistent macular holes after surgeries, and some subtypes of secondary macular holes. A routine pars plana vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane peeling yielded a lower closure rate and unsatisfying visual rehabilitation in patients with refractory macular holes, which raised concerns among vitreoretinal surgeons. This editorial reviewed the new upcoming surgical techniques which were reportedly to improve the anatomical and visual prognosis of major subtypes of refractory macular holes. Although with a great variability, these surgical techniques are based the following surgical strategies: firstly, to sufficiently unravel the epi-macular tractional force; secondly, to bridge the defect of neurosensory retina by tissue insertion or implantation and stimulate wound healing process; thirdly, proper tamponade of gas or silicone oil so that the surface tension can stabilize the inserted or implanted tissue and encourage closure of the holes. In conclusion, surgical strategies for refractory macular holes should be made after a comprehensive consideration and a customized design.
ObjectiveTo compare the results of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling with and without ILM transplantation to treat idiopathic macular hole (IMH) with hole form factor (HFF)<0.6. MethodsForty patients (40 eyes) of IMH with HFF<0.6 who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) were enrolled in this study. 20 eyes was performed PPV combined with ILM peeling (ILM peeling group), the other 20 eyes was performed PPV combined with ILM peeling and ILM transplant (ILM transplant group). The follow-up was ranged from 3 to 6 months with an average of 4 months. The changes of closing rate of hole, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) junction defect diameter and amplitude of wave P1 of ring 1 and ring 2 by multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) were comparatively analyzed for the two groups. ResultsIn 3 months after surgery, the IMH closing rate was 70% (14/20) in the ILM peeling group, and 100% (20/20) in the ILM transplant group, the difference between these two groups was significant (χ2=7.059, P<0.05). Postoperative BCVA was improved obviously in the two groups compared to preoperative BCVA, the difference was significant (t=4.017, 4.430; P<0.05). The rate of BCVA improvement in the ILM peeling group and ILM transplant group were 80% and 85%, the difference was not significant (χ2=0.173, P>0.05). The rate of significantly BCVA improvement in the ILM peeling group and ILM transplant group were 35% and 70%, the difference was significant (χ2=4.912, P<0.05). IS/OS junction defect (t=6.368, 6.635; P<0.05) and amplitude of wave P1 of ring 1 (t=2.833, 4.235) and ring 2 (t=2.459, 4.270) by mfERG in the two groups were improved after operation. The differences of postoperative IS/OS junction defect (t=2.261, P<0.05) and amplitude of wave P1 of ring 2 between the two groups were significant (t=2.282, P<0.05), but the differences of postoperative amplitude of wave P1 of ring 1 between two groups was not different (t=1.800, P>0.05). ConclusionPPV combined with ILM peeling and ILM transplantation can significantly improve the closure rate and vision of IMH with HFF<0.6.
ObjectiveTo observe the different changes of macular microstructure in patients with large idiopathic macular hole (IMH) treated with vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) transplantation or not. MethodsForty eyes in 40 consecutive patients with giant IMH (≥500 μm) were included in the study. Twenty eyes received vitrectomy with ILM transplantation (ILM transplantation group) and others with ILM peel off (ILM removal group). During the operation, a proper size of the ILM was removed and filled in the bottom of the macular hole. The age, duration of disease and the ocular laterality of the two groups of patients were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Minimum resolution angle in logarithmic (logMAR) best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and frequency domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scan were examined. There was no statistically significant difference in logMAR BCVA, average defect diameter of photoreceptor ellipsoid (IS/OS) and average defect diameter of external limiting membrane (ELM) between two groups (t=0.128, 1.452, 1.321; P>0.05). The logMAR BCVA and SD-OCT were examined on 1, 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively. ResultsOn 1 month after the surgery, there was no statistically significant difference in logMAR BCVA, average defect diameter of IS/OS and average defect diameter of ELM between two groups (t=1.226, 1.435, 1.018; P>0.05). On 3, 6, 12 months after the surgery, compared with ILM removal group, the logMAR BCVA (t=2.059, 2.871, 2.415) increased and the average defect diameter of IS/OS (t=2.070, 2.110, 2.121) and ELM (t=2.034, 3.647, 3.556) significantly reduced in ILM transplantation group (P<0.05). On 1 month after the surgery, there was statistically significant difference in CRT between two groups (t=2.113, P<0.05). On 3, 6, 12 months after the surgery, there was no statistically significant difference in CRT between two groups (t=0.428, 0.847, 0.849; P>0.05). ConclusionCompared with vitrectomy combined with ILM peeling surgery, the diameter of IS/OS and ELM defect were significantly decreased after vitrectomy combined with ILM transplantation in the patients with large IMH.
Refractory macular hole (MH) has lower surgical anatomical closure rate and poor recovery of visual acuity due to its clinical characteristics. Refractory macular hole includes unclosed MH, reopening MH, large MH, high myopic MH, traumatic MH and secondary MH. Some modified surgeries were employed to improve the surgical results. Inverted internal limiting membrane flap, autologous transplantation of the internal limiting membrane, laser photocoagulation, extended internal limiting membrane peeling, arcuate retinotomy, lens capsular flap transplantation and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can improve the prognosis partially. Loosening MH traction, providing a scaffold for Müller cell proliferation and promoting photoreceptor reconstruction will be the key points in future.
Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects of vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling on retinal detachment in eyes with high myopia. Methods The clinical data of 25 high myopia patients (25 eyes) with retinal detachment and macular hole were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment:13 patients in group A had undergone conventional vitrectomy;12 patients in group B had undergone vitrectomy and ILM peeling.All patients had been tamponaded by inert gas and kept in a facedown position for 7-15 days after the operation. The followup period was 6-18 months (average 10 months).LogMAR visual acuity, ocular fundus, B-scan ultrasonography and optical coherence tomography had been followed up.Results Retinal reattachment was found in 7 eyes (53.8%) in group A and 11 eyes in group B (91.7%), the difference was significant(chi;2=4.427, P=0.046).The macular hole closed in 6 eyes (46.2%) in group A, and 11 eyes (91.7%) in group B; the difference was significant between those two groups (chi;2=5.940，P=0.020). The postoperative visual acuity increased significantly in both groups(Z=-2.045,2.481;P=0.041,0.012), the difference of vision improvement was not significant between those two groups (MannWhitnay U＝51.5，P=0.16). Conclusions By completely releasing the macular traction and increasing retinal flexibility, vitrectomy with ILM peeling can significantly increase the rate of retinal reattachment and closure of macular hole in eyes with high myopia.