ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We studied the association between systemic risk factors and idiopathic macular hole. In addition, we analyzed the mechanism by which systemic risk factors affect the development and progression of macular hole. METHODS: Seventy patients with idiopathic macular holes were compared with 30 sex- and age- matched controls. The vascular viscosity profiles, and coagulation, biochemical and hormone factors were evaluated as systemic risk factors. RESULTS: The levels of fibrinogen and blood estrogen were significantly higher in the idiopathic macular hole group than in the control group. Also the fibrinogen level increased with the progression of macular hole. But there was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to the remaining factors. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the possibility that fibroproliferative factors from platelet increase in patients with idiopathic macular hole, and that fibrinogen is the parameter that increases among the fibroproliferative factors. This study also suggests that blood estrogen is important in the development of macular hole.