Post-vitrectomy secondary macular holes: Risk factors, clinical features, and multivariate analysis of outcome predictors

Purpose: We report clinical characteristics, risk factors, treatment outcomes, and prognostic predictors of post?vitrectomy secondary macular holes (MHs). Methods: This was a retrospective observational case series from November 2014 to December 2020. Eyes that developed secondary MH, two weeks and beyond after primary vitrectomy for non?MH indications, were enrolled. Pre? and intraoperative records were screened to exclude pre?existence of MH. Eyes with multiple vitreoretinal surgeries prior to MH detection and tractional myopic maculopathy were excluded. Results: A total of 29 eyes of 29 patients with a mean age of 52 years developed secondary MH post?vitrectomy. The most common indications for primary vitrectomy were rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD, 48.2%) and tractional retinal detachment (TRD, 24.1%). Time to MH detection after primary vitrectomy was 91.5 ± 117.6 days. The mean minimum hole diameter was 530 ± 298 microns. Epi?retinal membrane and cystoid degeneration was noted in 6 (20.7%) and 12 (41.3%) eyes, respectively (p = 0.088). The mean time from MH detection to MH repair was 34 ± 42 days. The surgical intervention included internal limiting membrane peeling with tamponade in 25 eyes. Overall, 80% showed anatomic hole closure, 90.9% versus 57.1% in the RRD and TRD (p = 0.092), respectively. The mean best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the final visit was 0.71 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. Thirteen eyes (52%) had a BCVA of 20/100 or better. Minimal hole diameter (p = 0.029) only predicted final visual acuity. The interval between MH diagnosis and repair did not affect hole closure significantly (p = 0.064). Conclusion: Secondary MH post?vitrectomy closed successfully with limited visual improvement and trails behind idiopathic MH.