A Case of Spontaneous Closure of Macular Hole in a Previously Vitrectomized Eye

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report a case of spontaneous closure of a macular hole in a previously vitrectomized eye. CASE SUMMARY: A 71-year-old female had undergone vitrectomy on the left eye due to a secondary epiretinal membrane with vitreous opacity caused by vasculitis. After the procedure, while the patient was still on medication for the recurrent inflammation of the anterior and posterior segment of the vitreous, a macular hole was found after fundus examinations. Visual acuity of her left eye was 0.125 and ocular coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed a full thickness macular hole with a perifoveal cyst. We recommended vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and intravitreal gas injection, but the patient refused further intervention due to her poor general condition. After 2 weeks, resolution of the perifoveal cyst with the macular hole was observed. After 13 weeks, OCT revealed the complete closure of the macular hole with normal foveal depression and the patient regained 0.4 visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous closure of macular hole is a rare phenomenon in vitrectomized eyes, but a small macular hole with inflammation may close spontaneously without additional intervention. Therefore, observation should be considered rather than hasty surgical intervention. Apparently, the spontaneous closure of a macular hole is due to degenerative processes such as development of macular edema and natural recovery.