Social Participation of Older Adults in Rural and Urban Areas: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Turkey.

Social participation is important in terms of active aging and quality of life during old age. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the social participation of older adults in rural and urban areas in Turkey. Related factors were similarly identified. The sample comprised 1,224 people over the age of 60, with a mean of 69.78 ± 7.48 years. Among the participants, 61.4% live in urban areas. The data were collected in family health centers through face-to-face interview and the Interview Form, Social Participation Assessment Form, and Social Participation Dimension of the Turkish Version of the Aging Module of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) Scale. The scores obtained from the social participation dimension of the scale among the elderly in urban areas were higher than those obtained among the elderly in rural areas (p = .002). In addition, older adults in the urban areas who talked on the phone several times a month (p = .025), went to concerts, theater/cinema, museum/exhibition, various visual/musical shows (p = .046), and engaged in gardening (p = .032) obtained higher scores in the social participation dimension than the other participants. Health care professionals should take an advocacy role in building relationships with policy makers and create suitable socialization opportunities for older adults in urban and rural areas.

Social participation is important in terms of active aging and quality of life during old age.This is the first study with a huge sample to compare the level of social participation of the elderly in rural and urban areas in Turkey.It provides information on the level of social participation of the elderly in a developing country.

An investigation of stigma and self-management in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy.

AIM: The complex nature of epilepsy disease confronts individuals with difficulties such as stigma. Stigma has a negative impact, particularly on individuals' coping with the disease. It is important for individuals diagnosed with epilepsy to adopt many self-management behaviors so that they can control these situations. This study aims to measure the stigma and self-management levels of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy and determine the relationship between stigma and self-management. METHODS: This descriptive and associational study was conducted in the Neurology Outpatient Clinic of a Training and Research Hospital and 295 patients were included in the sample based on various inclusion criteria such as having a diagnosis of epilepsy for at least six months and not having any psychiatric disorder that would prevent reading and comprehension. Data were collected through the Descriptive Information Form, the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy, and the Epilepsy Self-Management Scale. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics Standard Concurrent User V 26 statistical package program. FINDINGS: The Stigma Scale of Epilepsy total mean score was found 60.62 ± 15.40 in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy. The mean scores for the sub-scales were found 7.08 ± 2.20 for the false beliefs sub-scale, 18.86 ± 4.97 for the discrimination sub-scale, 21.64 ± 7.07 for the social isolation sub-scale, 8.46 ± 3.18 for the inadequacy sub-scale, and 5.45 ± 1.41 for the stigma resistance sub-scale. The ESMS total mean score of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy was found to be 140.54 ± 15.33. The mean scores for the ESMS sub-scales were 44.76 ± 4.29 for the medicine management sub-scale, 20.29 ± 5.98 for the information management sub-scale, 30.49 ± 4.80 for the safety management sub-scale, 23.95 ± 4.34 for the seizure management sub-scale, and 21.02 ± 4.65 for lifestyle management sub-scale. A significant and negative relationship was found between the Epilepsy Self-Management Scale (ESMS) and the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy. CONCLUSION: This study found that individuals experienced a moderate level of stigma and had high levels of self-management. Stigma was found to decrease with the increase in the self-management level. In this regard, it is recommended to conduct intervention studies to increase self-management levels and reduce stigma for individuals diagnosed with epilepsy.

Fetal cortical development and neurosonographic findings in obese pregnant women: a case control study from a tertiary hospital.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of obesity on fetal cortical development. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 91 pregnant women. Fetal neurosonography scans were performed in the third trimester, and according to body mass index (BMI) values, the patients were evaluated in two groups: obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and normal weight (BMI < 30 kg/m2). During neurosonography, fetal insular depth and Sylvian fissures, parieo-occipital and cingulate fissure depth, frontal lobe length, and the sizes of the corpus callosum and cavum septum pellucidum were measured using a transvaginal approach. Fetal cortical development and Sylvian fissure operculization were graded. RESULTS: The number of patients with grade 2 fetal cortical development was significantly higher among the pregnant women in the obese group compared to the normal weight group (n = 17, 41.5% and n = 8, 16.0%, respectively; p = 0.007). In the obese group, the number of pregnant women with grade 4 or below fetal Sylvian fissure operculization was significantly higher (n = 13, 31.7%), and the number of those with grade 9 or above operculization was significantly lower (n = 1, 2.5%) (p = 0.003). The fetal insular depth, frontal lobe anterior-posterior diameter, cingulate fissure depth, and corpus callosum thickness were lower in the obese group, albeit with no significant difference. Parieto-occipital depth significantly decreased in the obese group [6.8 (6) mm)] compared to the control group [10.5 (7.2) mm)] (p = 0.008). The fetal Sylvian fissure ratio and the cavum septum pellucidum ratio were found to be similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: The data obtained from this study showed that obesity caused fetal cortical changes in pregnant women.

The assessment of fetal cardiac functions in pregnancies with autoimmune diseases: a prospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effect of the inflammatory process on fetal cardiac functions in pregnant women with autoimmune diseases (AID). METHODS: This prospective study included 36 pregnant women with diagnosed AID. Nineteen systemic lupus erythematosus, 12 antiphospholipid syndrome, 5 Sjögren's syndrome, and 72 healthy pregnancies were included. Fetal cardiac functions were evaluated with pulsed-wave, tissue Doppler, and M-mode echocardiography. RESULTS: Sociodemographic data were similar in both groups. Significant increases were found in tricuspid E (43.5 ± 0.9, p<0.001) and A (59.2 ± 2.2, p<0.001) and E/A (0.74 ± 0.03, p<0.001), E'/A' (0.64 ± 0.15, p<0.001), E/E' (6.5 ± 0.6, p<0.001), and left ventricular myocardial performance index (0.54 ± 0.03, p=0.005). We demonstrated a significant decrease in tricuspid E' (6.7 ± 0.6, p<0.001) and S' (6.9 ± 1, p<0.001) and in TAPSE (7.7 ± 0.5, p=0.002). We also found a significantly prolonged PR interval (130 ± 8, p<0.001). There was a significant increase in E' (6.8, p=0.033) and a significant decrease in E/E' ratio (6.4, p=0.027) in the group using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) compared to non-users. CONCLUSIONS: We found that pregnancy with autoimmune diseases affects fetal heart functions. Additionally, hydroxychloroquine may positively affect the heart of AID fetuses. This information might be useful to clinicians in the follow-up of cardiovascular diseases.

An Investigation of Pregnant Women's Attitudes Towards Childhood Vaccination and Trust in Health Services.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination of children is of great importance for their healthy growth and development. Several concerns that have been mentioned by families due to various reasons could affect vaccination acceptance. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate pregnant women's attitudes toward childhood vaccinations and trust in health services. METHODS: This study was designed as a descriptive study. It was conducted in a city located in the eastern part of Turkey between March and May 2019. The sample was 193 volunteer pregnant women. Data were collected using the Socio-demographic Form, the Multidimensional Trust in Health-care System Scale, and the Public Attitude toward Vaccination Scale - Health Belief Model. RESULTS: A positive, statistically significant relationship was found between the Multidimensional Trust in Healthcare System Scale total mean score and Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Severity, Perceived Benefits, and Health Responsibility (p < .01). In addition, education and income level, having social security, having had a vaccination or not, and knowing vaccines affected trusts in health services; having social security, having had vaccinations or not, and knowing vaccines affected health beliefs about vaccinations (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study found that knowing vaccines affects both trust in health services and health beliefs about vaccination. Therefore, community health nurses working in primary care should provide parents with accurate and effective information about vaccinations.

Vaccination of children is of great importance for their healthy growth and development. Several concerns that have been mentioned by families in recent years due to various reasons could affect vaccination acceptance. The results of this study showed that there was a positive statistically significant relationship between the Trust in Health-care System and the Attitude toward Vaccination Health Belief. Besides, this study found that knowing vaccines affects both trust in health services and health beliefs about vaccination. Therefore, community health nurses working in primary care should provide parents with accurate and effective information about vaccinations.

Fetal neurosonography in pregnant women recovering from COVID-19 disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of severe acute respiratory virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on fetal neurodevelopment in pregnant women. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 54 pregnant women at least 4 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 infection and 58 controls. In the third trimester, the depths of the fetal insula, Sylvian, parieto-occipital, and calcarine fissures, the length of cavum septum pellucidum (CSP), and the thickness of the corpus callosum (CC) were measured. Sylvian fissure operculization and cortical development were graded. The correlation analysis between fetal cortical development and Sylvian fissure operculization was performed with the Pearson test. RESULTS: The calcarine fissure depth and CC thickness were reduced in the study group (P < 0.001, P = 0.004). The fetal CSP length and ratio were increased in the study group (P = 0.016, P = 0.039). Approximately half of the study group fetuses had grade 4 or less Sylvian fissure operculization. The study group had a significantly higher rate of fetuses with grade 2 (31.5% vs. 13.8%) and significantly lower rate of fetuses with grade 4 cortical development (14.8% vs. 31.0%), compared with the controls. There was a moderate negative significant correlation between pregnant women recovering from COVID-19 and fetal cortical development and Sylvian fissure operculization (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to investigate fetal cortical development in pregnant women recovering from COVID-19. The results indicate that COVID-19 disease may affect fetal neurodevelopment.

The utility of systemic immune-inflammation index and systemic immune-response index in the prediction of adverse outcomes in pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019: Analysis of 2649 cases.

AIM: To investigate the association of systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic immune-response index (SIRI) with adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The cases were divided into (1) the Mild-moderate COVID-19 group (n = 2437) and (2) the Severe-critical COVID-19 group (n = 212). Clinical characteristics, perinatal outcomes, SII (neutrophilXplatelet/lymphocyte), and SIRI (neutrophilXmonocyte/lymphocyte) were compared between the groups. Afterward, SII and SIRI values were compared between subgroups based on pregnancy complications, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and maternal mortality. A receiver operator characteristic analysis was performed for the determination of optimal cutoff values for SII and SIRI in the prediction of COVID-19 severity, pregnancy complications, NICU admission, and maternal mortality. RESULTS: Both SII and SIRI were significantly higher in complicated cases (p < 0.05). Cutoff values in the prediction of severe-critical COVID-19 were 1309.8 for SII, and 2.3 for SIRI. For pregnancy complications, optimal cutoff values were 973.2 and 1.6. Cutoff values of 1045.4 and 1.8 were calculated for the prediction of NICU admission. Finally, cut-off values of 1224.2 and 2.4 were found in the prediction of maternal mortality. CONCLUSION: SII and SIRI might be used in combination with other clinical findings in the prediction of poor perinatal outcomes.

Nutrition literacy levels of mothers with children aged five and below and the body mass index of their children.

This study aims to investigate the nutrition literacy levels of mothers with children aged five and below and the body mass index of their children (BMI). This descriptive study was carried out in a city located in eastern Turkey between June and August 2021. The sample was composed of 235 women who were calculated using the sampling method with an unknown target population, and participants were included in the sample using the convenience sampling method. Data collection tools were the Socio-demographic Form and Evaluation Instrument of Nutrition Literacy in Adults. Data were analyzed in SPSS, using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov Smirnov test, Mann Whitney U-test, and Kruskal Wallis test. While 92 percent of participating mothers had a sufficient level of nutrition literacy, 46 percent of children had normal BMI. The Evaluation Instrument of Nutrition Literacy on Adults mean score was higher in those who had a high socio-economic level, had a disease that required regular medicine use, reported having sufficient knowledge about nutrition, and accept health workers as a reliable source of information (p < .05). This study found that nutrition literacy was affected by variables such as socio-economic level, knowledge about nutrition, and the sources of information chosen. In addition, it was determined that the BMI of the children was not affected by the nutritional literacy level of their mothers.

Obstetrician-gynecologists' practice patterns regarding HPV testing in cervical cancer screening in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine obstetrician-gynecologists' (OBGYNs) practice patterns regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in cervical cancer screening. Secondly, we aimed to examine OBGYNs' adherence to guidelines in the management of women with HPV-positive test results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Antalya and Istanbul provinces in Turkey using a self-reported questionnaire. A 12-item questionnaire form was administered to the participants in face-to-face interviews. Of the targeted participants, 343 OBGYNs completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of participants, (81.0%) stated that they offered/used HPV testing in cervical cancer screening. Of those, most OBGYNs (89.9%) preferred to use HPV testing concomitant with cervical cytology (co-testing) whereas only 10.1% preferred to use HPV testing alone (primary HPV testing). The most preferred screening intervals for women with HPV-negative results were 5 years (53.4%) and 3 years (19.9%), respectively. In compliance with the guidelines, the rate of participants who recommended "referral directly to colposcopy" for women who were HPV16/18-positive and cytology-negative; and "co-testing at 12 months" for women who were positive for HPV genotypes other than HPV16/18 and cytology-negative was 53.1%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the "professional working setting" was the sole independent determinant of the adherence to the guidelines. OBGYNs working in private settings had the worst adherence rate (42.4%). CONCLUSION: Primary HPV testing is not yet widespread among Turkish OBGYNs. Moreover, adherence to practice guidelines in the management of HPVpositive test results is relatively low. There is a need for continuing medical education regarding screening programs and the management of women with positive screening results.

Relationship Between Attitudes about Medication Adherence and Complementary and Alternative Medicines in Elderly Individuals with Chronic Diseases.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic diseases increases in old age, and therefore, elderly individuals need to use a large number of medications. PRIMARY STUDY OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between attitudes of elderly individuals with chronic disease toward medication adherence and complementary and alternative medicines. METHODS/DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and September 2018. The participants were 193 elderly individuals who were selected using the sampling method with a known target population. The study data were collected using Descriptive Characteristics Information Form, HCAMQ, and ARMS. SETTING: The study was conducted in Family Health Centres in a city located in the eastern part of Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: The study involved elderly subjects who had been diagnosed with a chronic disease for at least 6 months that required continuous medication, and who could communicate sufficiently. RESULTS: The mean ARMS score of elderly individuals was found to be 14.19 ± 3.01, showing moderate adherence to medications. The mean HCAMQ score of individuals was 25.93 ± 6.57, showing positive attitudes of individuals toward CAM. Further, a positive and statistically significant correlation was found between the total scores of ARMS and HCAMQ (P < .01). CONCLUSION: It can be suggested that elderly individuals endeavor to maintain medical therapies for their diseases, and they also have positive attitudes toward complementary and alternative treatments. These positive behaviors of the elderly should be supported. Also elderly individuals should be informed about how to take "complementary and alternative treatments" consciously, in a controlled and correct manner.

Determination of Intercultural Sensitivity Among Nurses.

This descriptive study was carried out between July 2017 and August 2017 in an Obstetrics/Gynecology and Children Hospital affiliated to Gaziantep provincial directorate of health. The study population consisted of 363 nurses working in the aforementioned Obstetrics/Gynecology and Children Hospital, and the non-probability sampling method was implemented to reach them. Of the nurses included in the study population, 183 who volunteered to participate in the study comprised the sample of the study. The data were collected from the nurses who filled in the data collection forms given by the researchers using the paper pencil technique. To collect the study data, the Personal Information Form questioning the participants' socio-demographic characteristics, and the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS) were used. The mean scores the participants obtained from the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale and its subscales are as follows: 24.18 ± 3.87 for the Interaction Engagement subscale, 20.68 ± 4.41 for the Respect for Cultural Differences subscale, 17.10 ± 3.27 for the Interaction Confidence subscale, 10.27 ± 2.81 for the Interaction Enjoyment subscale, 10.64 ± 2.06 for the Interaction Attentiveness subscale and 82.62 ± 12.83 for the overall Intercultural Sensitivity Scale. In conclusion, the cultural sensitivity levels of the nurses in this study were above average.

Males' attitudes towards violence against women and the affecting factors.

PURPOSE: The present study aims to identify the attitudes of men living in two different cities of Turkey towards violence against women and to investigate the variables affecting their attitudes towards violence. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in two factories in Agri and Kahramanmaras cities between October and November 2019. FINDINGS: Participants' ISKEBE Violence against Women Attitude Scale mean score was 98.14 ± 20.30, Attitudes towards Body subscale mean score was 64.73 ± 11.99, and Attitudes towards Identity subscale mean score was 33.41 ± 10.45. Of all the participants, 32.6% demonstrated positive attitudes towards violence against women, and 67.4% demonstrated negative attitudes towards violence against women. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Knowing males' attitudes towards violence against women can contribute to the development of violence policies towards women.

Identification of the relationship between nicotine dependence levels and cessation fatigue.

PURPOSE: This study aims to identify the relationship between nicotine dependence levels and cessation fatigue. DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted in a city located in the eastern part of Turkey between December 2019 and March 2020. The sample consisted of 107 students who met the research criteria. Data were collected using the sociodemographic form, the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence test, and the cessation fatigue scale (CFS). FINDINGS: The CFS mean score was found to be significantly higher in women and in those who had high and very high nicotine dependence levels (p < 0.05). A positive and statistically significant relationship was found between cessation fatigue and nicotine dependence (p < 0.001). In addition, relationships were also found between cessation fatigue and variables, such as age, age of starting to smoke regularly, age of trying smoking for the first time, and the number of cigarettes smoked daily (p < 0.05). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study detected a relationship between smoking cessation fatigue, and nicotine dependence. Studies have revealed that nursing practices on the struggle against smoking are effective. A better understanding of these processes could support nursing practices development.

An investigation of the relationship between ageing in place and successful ageing in elderly individuals.

BACKGROUND: With the increase in longevity in the world, successful ageing has become an important issue. This study aims to investigate the relationship between ageing in place and successful ageing in elderlies. METHODS: This study, which utilised a descriptive and relational-screening model, was conducted with the participation of 370 individuals aged 65 and over who were registered in Family Health Centres in a city centre located in the eastern part of Turkey. RESULTS: The participating elderlies' Successful Ageing Scale mean score was 54.16 ± 11.32, and the Ageing in Place Scale mean score was 54.24 ± 12.88. While there was a positive, statistically significant relationship between the Successful Ageing Scale total score, the Ageing in Place Scale total score, and living in the same environment, there was a negative, significant relationship between age and the Successful Ageing Scale total score. CONCLUSION: Elderlies' successful ageing processes are affected positively by the increase in the duration of living in the same environment and satisfaction level about the place they lived in. Successful ageing is negatively affected by the increase in age. It is recommended that elderly people's living environments should not be changed and their social support networks should be strengthened as much as possible so they can have a successful ageing process.

Health Beliefs, Self-Care Behaviors and Quality of Life in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes.

AIM: Diabetes mellitus is a lifelong metabolic disease accompanied by acute and chronic complications and requires continuous medical care. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the diabetes self-management educational intervention given to individuals with type 2 diabetes on their health beliefs, self-care activities, and quality of life. METHOD: A single group randomized quasi-experimental study with the pre- and post-intervention design was conducted in two family health centers (n=60). The self-care activities, health beliefs, and quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated. RESULTS: The mean pre- and post-intervention blood glucose subscale scores were 1.57±0.91 and 3.22±1.06, respectively. The mean pre- and post-intervention social/vocational issues subscale scores were 29.26±5.54 and 33.26±3.19, respectively. The mean scores of the quality of life increased in the primary school graduates and in those who previously had no diabetes intervention after the intervention program. It was determined that the mean body mass index values of the participants decreased after the intervention. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to organize and implement periodic diabetes self-management educational intervention programs in family health centers and in centers providing diabetes health care to improve health beliefs and to increase self-care activities and quality of life in individuals with diabetes.

Individual innovativeness features of family health personnels and their attitudes towards technology.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate family health personnel's innovativeness features and their attitude towards technology. METHODS: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from April to June, 2017, at Family Health Centres located in two cities in eastern Turkey. It comprised family health personnel working with the two centres. Data was collected using socio-demographic form, Individual Innovativeness Scale, and the Attitudes towards Technology Scale. SPSS 23.0 version was used for data analysis. RESULTS: There were 137 subjects, all (100%) females, with a mean age of 28.70}6.42 years (range: 18-48 years). Individual Innovativeness Scale total mean score was 42.62}9.46. Overall, 89(65%) subjects were Traditionalists, 40(29.2%) were Late Majority, 6(4.4%) Early Majority, and 2(1.5%) were Early Adopters. Attitudes towards Technology Scale total mean score was 130.85} 17.30. . CONCLUSIONS: Family health personnel had positive attitudes towards technology, but majority of them were Traditionalists.

Change in nasal congestion index after treatment in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

BACKGROUND: The management of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) involves both surgical and medical approaches, and remains a controversial subject. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this prospective, randomized, controlled trial was to compare the medical and surgical treatments of CRSwNP in terms of their effect on the nasal congestion index (NCI). METHODS: Forty-eight patients with CRSwNP were randomized either to medical or surgical therapy. Pretreatment and 3- and 6-month posttreatment assessments of the visual analog scale score, the 20-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test, saccharine clearance time, nasal endoscopy, and NCI measurement with acoustic rhinometry were performed. Forty-one subjects were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Both the medical and surgical interventions for CRSwNP resulted in significant improvement in the visual analog scale score, 20-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test, saccharine clearance time, and nasal endoscopic examination scores. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of the percentage change from baseline for any of the parameters at the 6-month posttreatment assessment. NCI showed no significant difference from baseline. Similarly, no significant difference was found between the medical and surgical groups in terms of their effect on the NCI (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Because NCI does not correlate with standard subjective measures in outcomes for this group of patients, it cannot be used as an outcome measurement of treatment of subjects with CRSwNP. Results of this prospective randomized study did not find any additional benefit of surgical therapy over medical therapy in subjects with CRSwNP.

Outcomes of 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling with brilliant blue in macular hole.

PURPOSE: The evaluation of anatomic and visual outcomes in macular hole cases treated with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, brilliant blue (BB), and 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty eyes of 48 patients who presented between July 2007 and December 2009 with the diagnosis of stage 2, 3, or 4 macular holes according to Gass Classification who had undergone PPV and ILM peeling were included in this study. Pre- and postoperative macular examinations were assessed with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. 23 G sutureless PPV and ILM peeling with BB was performed on all patients. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 63.34 ± 9.6 years. Stage 2 macular hole was determined in 17 eyes (34%), stage 3 in 24 eyes (48%), and stage 4 in 9 eyes (18%). The mean follow-up time was 13.6 ± 1.09 months. Anatomic closure was detected in 46/50 eyes (92%), whereas, in four cases, macular hole persisted and a second operation was not required due to subretinal fluid drainage. At follow-up after 2 months, persistant macular hole was detected in one case and it was closed with reoperation. At 12 months, an increase in visual acuity in 41 eyes was observed, while it remained at the same level in six eyes. In three eyes visual acuity decreased. There was a postoperative statistically significant increase in visual acuity in stage 2 and 3 cases (P < 0.05), however, no increase in visual acuity in stage 4 cases was observed. CONCLUSION: PPV and ILM peeling in stage 2, 3, and 4 macular hole cases provide successful anatomic outcomes, however, in delayed cases, due to photoreceptor loss, it has no effect on functional recovery. BB, used for clarity of ILM, may be beneficial due to its low retinal toxicity.