Visual and Surgical Outcomes of Lamellar Macular Hole

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the visual and anatomical results of surgical treatment for symptomatic lamellar macular hole. METHODS: Ten eyes of ten patients with decreased visual acuity and lamellar macular hole were diagnosed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Pars plana vitrectomy, epiretinal membrane removal, internal limiting membrane peeling, and gas tamponade (5 eyes) were performed for the treatment of lamellar hole. The resolution of the lamellar hole was assessed in relation to each OCT image at baseline. RESULTS: The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 7.5 months, and best corrected visual acuity improved from log MAR 0.67 +/- 0.38 to log MAR 0.30 +/- 0.28. Central foveal thickness decreased from 441 +/- 184 microm to 291 +/- 64 microm. The OCT of all eyes demonstrated improvement in macular contour. However, retinal detachment in one eye occurred at two months after the operation and was reattached with gas tamponade and photocoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy, epiretinal membrane removal and internal limiting membrane peeling showed benefit in the treatment of symptomatic lamellar macular hole. However, large and prospective studies are necessary regarding the surgical indication, time and procedure for lamella macular hole.