ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare the results of treatment of idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (MHs) with and without the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (APRP). METHODS: This partially retrospective study included 152 patients (152 eyes) with MHs operated in the years 2010-2014 using conventional technology with internal limiting membrane peeling (control group) and 62 patients (62 eyes), operated by the same surgeons in 2015-2017 with additional application of APRP on MH (platelet group). Pre and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were recorded, and retinal microstructure was studied using optical coherence tomography. Thirty-seven patients in the platelet group and 80 controls were followed for at least 12 months (for visual outcomes 15 controls were followed for 15-24 months). The data of 72 controls (72 eyes) were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The minimum diameter of the MH in the platelet group was larger than in controls: 454 ± 186 vsersus 381 ± 148 µm (P = 0.003). Despite this, all MHs in the platelet group were closed, while in the control group 11 holes (7.2%) remained open (P = 0.036). The final mean BCVA, standardized by the minimum diameter of the macular hole, was higher in the platelet group by 3.9 ETDRS letters (P = 0.012). After surgery with APRP, foveal hyperreflective lesion (presumably glial proliferation) was found, which persisted in most large MHs, but gradually disappeared in small and most medium MHs. CONCLUSION: The use of APRP significantly improves the anatomical and functional results of treatment of idiopathic MHs. In very large MHs, APRP presumably enhances glial proliferation, which ensures their closure.
