Role of intraretinal cysts in the prediction of postoperative closure and photoreceptor damages of the idiopathic full-thickness macular hole.

BACKGROUND: To determine whether it would be effective in predicting the results of the postoperative full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) closure when intraretinal cyst (IRC) is present. METHODS: Case-control study. Patients with idiopathic FTMH who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography was undertaken in all patients. The new parameter, macular hole closing factor (MHCF) was defined as the base diameter - (arm length + IRC height) by adding IRC to the existing parameter. After surgery, patients were classified and analyzed according to the type of hole closure and the damage of photoreceptor. RESULTS: Of the 35 patients, 28 (80.00%) had type 1 closure and seven (20.00%) had type 2 closure. There was a significant difference in postoperative BCVA (P < 0.01), base diameter (P = 0.037), arm length (P = 0.045), and IRC height (P = 0.011) between the two groups. In the type 1 closure, they were further divided into two subgroups according to photoreceptor damage, and it was confirmed that there were significant differences in postoperative BCVA (P = 0.045), hole height (P = 0.048), and IRC height (P = 0.046) in the two subgroups. As for the new parameters, a significant difference between the three groups was confirmed (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: IRC may help predict hole closure along with the known horizontal parameters. Therefore, the new parameter containing both two factors can help predict not only hole closure but also damage to photoreceptors that affects postoperative visual prognosis.

A prospective, interventional study comparing the outcomes of macular hole surgery in eyes randomized to C3F8, C2F6, or SF6 gas tamponade.

PURPOSE: Analysis of outcomes of macular hole (MH) surgery using 12% C3F8, 16% C2F6, or 18% SF6 as randomized gas tamponading agent. METHODS: This is a prospective, randomized, interventional study of 159 eyes with idiopathic MH undergoing 23/25G pars-plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade. Eyes were stratified into two groups: Group I (MH < 800 µ) and group II (MH > 800 µ) according to MH apical diameter. Eyes in group I were randomized to receive either 18% SF6, 16% C2F6, or 12% C3F8. Eyes in group II were randomized to either 16% C2F6 or 12% C3F8. Clinical details, MH parameters on optical coherence tomography, surgical details and complications were analyzed. Outcome measures were type of hole closure (I/II), best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and cataract progression. RESULTS: In Group I (n = 139), type 1 closure was achieved in 107 (77%) eyes. Type 1 closure rates in group I per gas tamponade were as follows: SF6 (70%), C2F6 (80%), C3F8 (78%) (p = 0.503, chi-square test for independence). There was no statistical difference in MH closure rates between SF6 and C2F6 (p = 0.134), SF6 and C3F8 (p = 0.186), and C2F6 and C3F8 (p = 0.373). In Group II (n = 20), type 1 closure was achieved in 12 (60%) eyes. Type 1 closure rates in group II per gas tamponade were as follows: C2F6 (75%), C3F8 (50%) (p = 0.132, Two proportion Z test). Mean follow-up after surgery was 2.66 ± 2.74 months. CONCLUSION: Given the similar outcomes of using 18% SF6, 16% C2F6, or 12% C3F8 in idiopathic macular hole surgery, the advantage of using a shorter acting tamponade translates into earlier recovery and rehabilitation.

Successful detection of multiple communicating holes in multiple spinal extradural arachnoid cysts by using time-spatial labeling inversion pulse magnetic resonance imaging: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Spinal extradural arachnoid cysts (SEACs) communicate with the subarachnoid space through small communicating dural holes. The precise preoperative detection of all communicating holes, followed by minimally invasive dural closure, is the ideal treatment to prevent postoperative spinal deformities, especially in cases of multiple SEACs. However, standard imaging methods often fail to detect communicating hole locations. Although a few cases of successful single-hole detection via cinematic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been reported, this modality's ability to detect multiple holes has not been demonstrated. OBSERVATIONS: The authors describe the case of a 14-year-old male with myelopathy due to multiple SEACs at T5-8 and T8-12. Myelography revealed a complete block at the T8 level; no cephalic cyst or communicating holes were identified. Time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (T-SLIP) MRI revealed cerebrospinal fluid flow into the cyst at T10 and T7. A limited laminectomy or hemilaminectomy was performed at T7 and T10, and two dural holes were closed without a total cystectomy. The patient's gait disturbance and rectal disorder disappeared. The cysts were confirmed to have completely disappeared on conventional MRI at 1 year postoperatively. LESSONS: T-SLIP MRI, a cinematic MRI, is useful for detecting multiple communicating holes in SEACs.

Modified inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique for macular hole closure.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of modified internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique combined with vitreous surgery for treating macular holes and examine the outcomes in visual function and anatomic macular hole closure. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, observational. METHODS: Between July 1, 2015, and October 1, 2019, the modified inverted ILM flap technique combined with vitreous surgery was used to treat idiopathic macular holes, postoperative progression was then followed for at least 6 months in 96 participants (98 eyes). We modified the method by removing the lower half of the ILM while peeling and inverting the upper half. The mean age of the participants was 65.9 ± 11.9 years (41 men (42.7%) and 55 women (57.3%)). Retrospective evaluations of macular hole diameter, corrected visual acuity, and macular hole closure rates were performed using data from medical records. RESULTS: The mean macular hole diameter was 623.6 ± 207.4 µm. The mean corrected visual acuity (logMAR) was 0.79 ± 0.27 before surgery and 0.46 ± 0.35 at 1, 0.35 ± 0.39 at 3, and 0.31 ± 0.36 at 6 months Post surgery, showing significant differences before and after surgery (p = 2.30 × 10- 2). The macular hole closure rate was 98%. CONCLUSION: The modified inverted ILM flap technique combined with vitreous surgery was an effective method for treating macular holes, resulting in improvement in closure and visual acuity.

Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling and Gas Tamponade For Full-Thickness Macular Holes of Different Etiology - Is It Still Relevant?

Background: Despite the abundance of novel surgical approaches proposed for full thickness macular hole (FTMH) treatment, the choice of the optimal technique remains debatable Vitrectomy with «classic¼ internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade remains the standard of FTMH surgery in many cases, but there are still very limited recent publications on the outcomes of such surgery. Purpose: To investigate the anatomical and functional result and to analyze the significance of outcome-related risk factors of the classic 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with ILM peeling and gas tamponade (GT) for treatment of FTMH of different etiology. Patients and methods: Thirty-eight eyes of thirty-seven patients with FTMH who underwent 25-gauge PPV, ILM peeling and GT were recruited for this retrospective, consecutive, interventional study. Four eyes with persistent holes underwent a re-operation. Outcome-related factors were discussed. Results: The primary closure rate was 89.5% (34/38). All eyes that underwent the repeated surgery (4 cases) obtained final closure. A hole size of >500 µm has a statistically significant effect on the primary macular hole closure (F = 0.048; φ = 0.38; p ˂ 0.05). In the general group (N = 38), the duration of symptoms directly correlated with age (ρ = 0.34; p = 0.04), size of the hole (ρ = 0.66; p ˂ 0.001) and BCVA before surgery (ρ = 0.59; p ˂ 0.001), after 1 month (ρ = 0.36; p = 0.03), and after 3 months (ρ = 0.35; p = 0.03). Preoperative BCVA was better in initially closed cases (Group 1) (U = 26.0; p = 0.05). In the Group 2 with primary unclosed holes, 75% of the eyes (3/4) had an axial length (AL) >26 mm, while in Group 1 such eyes were 12.5 times less (2/34) 5.9% (F = 0.004; φ = 0.63; р ˂ 0.01). The ELM recovery rate at 3 months was 92% (35/38 eyes) and the restoration of EZ at 3 months was 47% (18/38 eyes). Best-corrected visual acuity of all individuals improved significantly from 0.72 ± 0.35 (logMAR) (Me = 0.7; IQR: 0.5-0.8) to 0.25±0.14 (logMAR) (Me = 0.2; IQR: 0.2 - 0.3) at 1 month and 0.17 ± 0.13 (logMAR) (Me = 0.2; IQR: 0.1 - 0.2) at 3 months after surgery (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: 25G PPV with ILM and GT for FTMH of different etiology provide satisfactory morphologic and functional outcomes. Elongated AL, large diameter of MH and long duration of symptoms are the risk factors for initial closure. Proper second surgery can obtain satisfactory outcomes for persistent holes.

Factors predicting normal visual acuity following anatomically successful macular hole surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess the incidence of normal vision following anatomically successful macular hole surgery and associated clinical variables. METHODS: Multicentre, retrospective chart review. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records from seven European vitreoretinal units. Inclusion criteria were as follows: eyes undergoing primary vitrectomy for idiopathic full-thickness macular hole from January 2015 to January 2018; postoperative macular hole closure confirmed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT); preoperative pseudophakia or phakic eyes receiving combined cataract surgery; one-year follow-up. The primary outcome was 'normal vision' defined as a final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 20/25. Univariate, multivariate and decision-tree analyses were conducted to evaluate the clinical variables associated with 'normal vision'. Odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Of 327 eligible cases, 91 (27.8%) achieved 'normal vision' at 1 year. Multivariate analysis identified variables significantly associated with 'normal vision': shorter symptom duration (odds ratio [OR]=1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.02-1.09; p = 0.002), smaller preoperative OCT minimum linear diameter (OR per 100-micron increase = 1.65; 95%CI:1.31-2.08; p < 0.001) and better mean preoperative BCVA (OR = 15.13; 95%CI: 3.59-63.65; p < 0.001). The decision-tree analysis found that the most significant variable associated with 'normal vision' was symptom duration. 'Normal vision' was achieved in 70.6% of eyes operated within one week from symptom onset and in 45% of eyes with symptom duration between 1 and 3 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested urgent surgery is justified for small macular holes of short duration.

Combination of Inverted ILM Flap Technique and Subretinal Fluid Application Technique for Treatment of Chronic, Persistent and Large Macular Holes.

INTRODUCTION: The choice of surgical treatment for chronic, persistent and large full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) continues to be undefined and challenging, as some of these cases remain refractory to the treatment. We report the efficacy of combination of inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique (IILMFT) and subretinal application of the fluid (SR fluid application) technique for treatment of refractory FTMHs. METHODS: Nine patients (nine eyes) were enrolled into this retrospective non-randomized exploratory consecutive case series study. All patients were diagnosed with chronic, persistent or large FTMH and were treated with a combination of IILMFT and SR fluid application technique. The following outcome parameters were analysed during 1- and 6-month follow-up visits: anatomical FTMH closure rate on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), degree of postoperative retinal displacement. RESULTS: The mean preoperative diameter of FTMH was 542.0 µm (range 154-1930 µm). Final closure of FTMH was achieved in nine of nine cases (100%). In one case a second operation was required because of postoperative rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The mean BCVA after the FTMH closure increased from 1.0 logMAR (0.7-1.3) to 0.4 logMAR (0.2-0.8 logMAR) (W = 2.67; p = 0.008). A positive correlation was revealed between preoperative BCVA and axial length (ρ = 0.67, p = 0.048), between preoperative BCVA and duration of the symptoms (ρ = 0.818, p = 0.007), as well as between postoperative BCVA at 1-month follow-up and BCVA at 6-month follow-up (ρ = 0.821, p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Combination of IILMFT with SR fluid application technique for refractory FTMH surgery appears to be effective and safe. Improvement of anatomical and visual outcomes after the single surgery benefits from and is ensured by the advantages of both novel surgical approaches.

Vitreomacular interface alterations following peripheral laser retinopexy: Interface changes after laser.

AIM: To demonstrate the morphological outcomes of macular hole following prophylactic peripheral laser retinopexy (PPLR). METHODS: Our retrospective case-control analysis included 92 eyes, 55 in the laser group and 37 in the non-laser group. Fifty-five patients were subjected to prophylactic peripheral laser retinopexy in preparation for pars plana vitrectomy for macular hole, with and without vitreomacular adhesion (laser group). Before and after prophylactic peripheral laser retinopexy, we evaluated any changes in vitreomacular anatomy by optical coherence tomography. Optical coherence tomography changes were also analyzed in the visits preceding pars plana vitrectomy in 37 macular hole eyes not subjected to prophylactic peripheral laser retinopexy (non-laser group). RESULTS: In the laser group, 7 out of 55 eyes (12.7%) showed macular hole closure (6 out of 18 macular hole eyes with vitreomacular adhesion (33.3%) and 1 out of 37 eyes without vitreomacular adhesion (2.7%)), while no patients showed macular hole closure in the non-laser group (p < 0.05). The mean width of the seven closed macular hole was 191.4 µm (range: 59-282 µm). In all except one of the six macular hole eyes with vitreomacular adhesion, the macular hole closed without vitreomacular adhesion release. In our analysis of the patient subgroup with vitreomacular adhesion, we observed a release of vitreomacular adhesion in 3 out of 18 eyes (16.6%) in the laser group and in 1 out of 13 eyes (7.6%) in the non-laser group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings support a possible beneficial role for prophylactic peripheral laser retinopexy in selected individuals with macular hole.

Outcomes of 4 surgical adjuvants used for internal limiting membrane peeling in macular hole surgery: a systematic review and network Meta-analysis.

AIM: To compare the outcomes of four adjuvants used for internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in macular hole surgery, including indocyanine green (ICG), brilliant blue G (BBG), triamcinolone (TA) and trypan blue (TB), through systematic review and random-effects Bayesian network Meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane library databases and Web of Science were searched until August 2018 for clinical trials comparing the above four adjuvants. ORs for postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement and primary macular hole closure rates were compared between the different adjuvants. RESULTS: Twenty-seven eligible articles were included. For postoperative BCVA improvement, results of BBG-assisted peeling were significantly more favorable than those of ICG (WMD 0.08, 95% credible interval 0.01-0.16) and TA ranked highest. No significant differences were found between any other two groups in postoperative BCVA improvement. For postoperative primary macular hole closure rates, BBG ranked highest. However, no significant differences were shown between any two groups. CONCLUSION: TA and BBG are the optimum adjuvants for achieving postoperative BCVA improvement macular hole surgery with adjuvant-assisted ILM peeling. Among all adjuvants, the use of BBG is associated with the highest postoperative macular hole closure rate.

Topical steroids: A non-surgical approach for recurrent macular holes.

PURPOSE: Report a case of a recurrent macular hole which completely resolved with a non-surgical approach with steroid drops. OBSERVATIONS: While traction is considered the mayor contributor to full thickness macular hole formation, retinal hydration as that in cystoid macular edema also plays an important role. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Topical corticosteroid drops can be considered as an alternative therapy for small recurrent macular holes that lack tractional components and have an appearance of cystoid changes on the edges of the hole.

Spontaneous closure of bilateral macular holes.

PURPOSE: To present a case of a right eye spontaneous closure of a full thickness macular hole (FTMH), followed several years later by a left eye spontaneous closure of a FTMH, in an otherwise healthy woman. OBSERVATIONS: We show the temporal changes and spontaneous resolution observed with Spectral-Domain Ocular Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) of a FTMH in the right eye and a FTMH secondary to vitreomacular traction in the left eye of the same patient 5 years later, also with full spontaneous resolution. Following the resolution, SD-OCT demonstrated outer retinal layer disruption recovery and visual acuity improvement in both eyes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Spontaneous closure of macular holes is an uncommon event, with most descriptions in the literature being of single cases or very small series, including several reports in patients who have undergone vitrectomy for other causes, or in highly myopic eyes. Bilateral spontaneous closure of macular holes in the same patient is an even more uncommon event, described only once in one patient previously in the literature to our knowledge.

A novel episcleral macular buckling: wire-strengthened sponge exoplant for recurrent macular hole and retinal detachment in high myopic eyes.

The purpose would be to describe and evaluate a novel technique of episcleral macular buckling in postvitrectomy recurrent macular hole retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes. A 7mm silicone sponge strengthened with a U-shaped 0.5mm orthodontics stainless steel wire fed along its length and hand-bent to produce L-shaped buckle of appropriate shape and length, is used. The episcleral macular buckling has performed on 15 highly myopic eyes (axial length > 30mm) with recurrent macular hole retinal detachment following silicone oil removal. Buckle localization has been performed by manipulating the long arm of the exoplant, under direct internal visualization, scleral marking and suturing. Successful retinal reattachment with improvement in visual acuity achieved in all 15 eyes. Closure of the macular holes was confirmed by Optical Coherence Tomography. The anatomical and functional outcomes of this new technique of macular buckling appears to provide an effective and feasible means of retinal reattachment and hole closure in postvitrectomy recurrent macular hole detachment in highly myopic eyes.