Lamellar macular hole in highly myopic eyes and insights into its development, evolution, and treatment: a mini-review.

Lamellar macular holes (LMHs) are a manifestation of myopic tractional maculopathy (MTM). Owing to the complex and multidirectional traction force in the elongated eyeball, the clinical features, development, evolution, and treatment algorithms of LMH in highly myopic eyes may differ from those of idiopathic LMH or MTM in general. This review aimed to specifically explore the LMHs in highly myopic eyes. Several developmental processes of LMH and their association with macular retinoschisis have been demonstrated, with the tractional component identified in all processes. Epiretinal proliferation was more prevalent and more extensive in LMHs in highly myopic eyes than in idiopathic LMHs. LMHs in highly myopic eyes may remain stable or progress to foveal detachment and full-thickness macular hole with or without retinal detachment. The predictive factors associated with disease progression were summarized to facilitate monitoring and guide surgical intervention. The treatment of LMHs in highly myopic eyes was based on an algorithm for treating myopic tractional maculopathy, including gas tamponade, pars plana vitrectomy, macular buckling, and a combination of vitrectomy and macular buckling. New internal limiting membrane (ILM) manipulation techniques such as fovea-sparing ILM peeling or fovea-sparing ILM peeling combined with ILM flap insertion could reduce the risk of developing iatrogenic full-thickness macular holes postoperatively. Further research should focus on the treatment of LMH in highly myopic eyes.

Four-year outcomes of macular buckling for traction maculopathy in highly myopic eyes / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the long-term efficacy and safety of macular buckling (MB) in the treatment of high myopia traction maculopathy.Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From January 2014 to December 2017, 57 eyes of 57 patients with high myopia traction maculopathy who underwent MB treatment at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University were included in the study. Among them, there were 15 males with 15 eyes, average age was 51.80±10.72 years; there were 42 females with 42 eyes, average age was 59.14±11.51 years. There were 21 eyes of 21 cases with highly myopic macular hole with macular detachment (MHMD), and 36 eyes in 36 cases with highly myopic foveoschisis with macular detachment (FSMD), and they were grouped accordingly. All patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and axial length (AL) measurements. The standard logarithmic visual acuity chart was used for BCVA examination, which was converted into logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity during statistics. All patients underwent MB, either on its own or combined with vitrectomy. Patients with significant vitreous macular traction on OCT were treated with combined surgery. One, 3, 6 months and 1, 2, 3, and 4 years after the operation, the same equipment and methods before the operation were used to conduct related examinations, and the long-term efficacy and safety of the two groups of eyes were observed.Results:Before surgery, the logMAR BCVA of eyes in MHMD group and FSMD group were 1.35±0.47 and 1.17±0.59, respectively; 4 years after surgery, they were 1.02±0.49 and 0.73±0.55, respectively. The BCVA improved significantly at postoperative 4 years than preoperative in both groups ( P=0.039, 0.001). In the eyes with MHMD, the BCVA was found to be significant improved 3 years after surgery ( P=0.042). Whereas, in the eyes with FSMD, the BCVA was found to be significantly improved 3 months after surgery ( P=0.013). Macular reattachment was achieved in 100% of cases, while macular hole closure rate was achieved in 66.7% in the MHMD group. In the FSMD group, either macular reattachment rate or the foveoschisis resolution rate was 97.2%. After surgery, choroidal neovascularization was observed in 2 eyes, and 3 eyes with intraretinal cyst. Conclusion:MB may represent a safe and effective surgical option for the treatment of high myopia maculopathy.

Indications and challenges of episcleral pressurization of macula / 中华眼底病杂志

Pathological myopia, characterized by progressive elongation of the axial length and formation of posterior staphyloma, is accompanied by chorioretinal irreversible degeneration. It is also the focus and biggest challenge of myopia control and blindness prevention. For managing progressive early-onset pathologic myopia and myopic traction maculopathy, episcleral pressurization of macula is a practical option. It can be divided into posterior scleral reinforcement surgery and macular buckling surgery according to the presence or absence of operative top pressure ridge after surgery, both of which are different in terms of implanted materials, procedures and indications. The implanted materials, procedures and indications are different between the two. Under the background of soaring prevalence of myopia, it is necessary to modify and cautiously popularize the techniques of episcleral pressurization of macula to provide high level clinical evidence for management of pathological myopia.

Outcomes of macular buckling surgery in myopic foveal detachment eyes with and without disrupted ellipsoid zone band: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of macular buckling (MB) surgery between myopic foveal detachment (FD) eyes with and without ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption. METHODS: A retrospective, case-control study. Forty-four consecutive eyes from 44 patients received MB surgery for myopic FD between November 2017 and January 2019 were included. The eyes were divided into two groups according to the integrity of EZ on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT): 28 eyes with disrupted EZ band and 16 eyes with intact EZ band. Main outcome measures were visual acuity and the duration of subfoveal fluid (SFF) after MB. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 17.64 ± 6.61 and 16.06 ± 5.78 months in the disrupted EZ and intact EZ group, respectively (P = 0.430). The logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved significantly, from 1.13 ± 0.46 and 1.12 ± 0.39 at baseline to 0.85 ± 0.65 (P = 0.002) and 0.53 ± 0.33 (P = 0.000) for the disrupted EZ group and intact EZ group, respectively. The mean visual improvement was 15.00 ± 14.14 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters for the disrupted EZ group and 26.88 ± 19.48 ETDRS letters for the intact EZ group. Significant difference was found on both final postoperative BCVA (P = 0.035) and visual improvement (P = 0.025). At 6 months, SFF remained in 53.57% (15/28) of the eyes in the disrupted EZ group and in only 12.50% (2/16) of the eyes in the intact EZ group (P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: The intact EZ group showed better functional and anatomical outcomes than the disrupted EZ group after MB surgery.

Comparison of macular buckling and vitrectomy for the treatment of macular schisis and associated macular detachment in high myopia: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of macular buckling and vitrectomy for myopic traction maculopathy showing macular schisis (MS) and associated macular detachment (MD) but without full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, parallel, open-label study. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to either buckling or vitrectomy group. Macular buckling and intravitreal C3F8 gas injection were performed in the buckling group. Small gauge vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling (ILMP) and C3F8 gas tamponade were performed in the vitrectomy group. The patients were followed for 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients were randomized, 80 eyes were included (41 receiving buckling, 39 received vitrectomy), and 78 patients completed the study. There were less eyes determined as surgical failure and required a second surgery in the buckling group than vitrectomy the group (2.4% versus 18.4%, p = 0.021). After surgery, macular buckling achieved more improvement in BCVA (+21.7 versus +4.5 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters, p = 0.002). FTMH development was observed in only 1 (2.4%) eye, after removing of the implant due to recurrent conjunctival erosion, in the buckling group and 10 (26.3%) eyes (seven with-, three without MD) in the vitrectomy group (p < 0.001). More eyes developed cataracts in the vitrectomy group than did in the buckling group (28.9% versus 7.5%, p = 0.014). Macular buckling-associated strabismus (esotropia), binocular diplopia and implant exposure were observed in limited cases. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Macular buckling is superior to vitrectomy with ILM peeling plus gas injection for surgical treatment of MS and associated MD in high myopia.

Three-year outcomes of macular buckling for macular holes and foveoschisis in highly myopic eyes.

BACKGROUND: To assess the functional and structural outcomes of macular buckling using a silicone sponge-titanium exoplant for the treatment of foveoschisis (FS) and full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs) in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive patients with high myopia who underwent macular buckling for the treatment of FS and FTMHs were included. The outcomes measured included the anatomical success rate with FS resolution, retinal reattachment, MH closure, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length (AL) and complications of surgery. Moreover, the correlations between the BCVA at year three and series of factors, including age, duration of symptoms, baseline BCVA, AL, surgical type, preoperative macular status and severity of myopic maculopathy, were analysed. RESULTS: This study involved 28 patients (28 eyes) with FS and 21 patients (21 eyes) with FTMHs with macular detachment. Retinal reattachment was achieved in 100% of cases, while MH closure was achieved in 76.19% of cases. The BCVA significantly improved one year after macular buckling in the FS cases and two years after macular buckling in the FTMH cases, and it remained stable throughout the rest of the follow-up period. The mean AL decreased by 2.09 mm postoperatively. No major perioperative complications were observed, although one patient needed to explant the buckling device due to intolerable diplopia. CONCLUSION: Macular buckling with a silicone sponge-titanium exoplant may represent a safe and effective surgical option for the treatment of FS and FTMH in highly myopic eyes. Macular buckling showed a high closure rate and virtually no tendency to recur.

Combined Vitrectomy With Macular Buckling In High Myopic Eyes With Macular Hole Retinal Detachment: A Pilot Study Of A Novel Snail-Tipped Exoplant.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel snail-tipped exoplant for macular buckling combined with vitrectomy in high myopic eyes with macular hole retinal detachment. PATIENT AND METHODS: A novel exoplant was simply prepared with a 5 × 3 mm silicone sponge strengthened in the center with a malleable titanium plate. One end was bent to make a rolled tip like a snail shell to be placed under the macula. Combined vitrectomy with macular buckling using this exoplant was performed in eight consecutive cases. The long arm of the exoplant was manipulated manually to fit the curvature of the eyeball and the length was trimmed appropriately after scleral suturing of the exoplant. RESULTS: Retinal reattachment was achieved in all cases (100%) and macular hole closure was confirmed in 6 eyes (75%). The mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 1.53 ± 0.73 LogMAR preoperatively to 1.14 ± 0.59 LogMAR to postoperatively (p = 0.063). The mean pre- and postoperative AL was 28.44 ± 1.86 mm and 27.60 ± 1.83 mm, respectively (p = 0.016). The mean follow-up period was 15.4 months and no buckle-related complications such as diplopia, infection or exposure of the exoplant were noticed during the period. CONCLUSION: This exoplant could easily be prepared with readily available materials in the operating room and it was well tolerated with favorable anatomic results in high myopic eyes. Further studies of increased number of patients with long-term follow-up will be necessary.

A Review of Current Myopic Foveoschisis Management Strategies.

Myopic foveoschisis (MF) is common in highly myopic eyes with posterior staphyloma, and optical coherence tomography is essential for establishing the diagnosis and monitoring disease progression. Untreated MF may lead to significant visual loss due to secondary complications. Vitrectomy with or without internal limiting membrane peeling followed by gas tamponade is the standard treatment; however, in recent years, new techniques, including macular buckling, have been introduced. We selected a total of 41 articles with 30 describing various modifications of pars plana vitrectomy, six describing the macular buckling technique, and five reporting combined surgery. The present review describes current MF treatment strategies, including outcomes, and provides a comprehensive understanding of current therapeutic options. Early detection and surgical intervention in eyes with specific risk factors may contribute to both improved visual recovery and more favorable anatomical outcomes.

Treatment of myopic foveoschisis via macular buckling and vitrectomy.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment of myopic foveoschisis patients using the macular buckling with L-shaped titanium plate and silicon sponge combined with vitrectomy. The data of the patients who underwent macular buckling combined with vitrectomy was collected. The study recorded the following parameters: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), axial length, intraocular pressure, central macular thickness, and the position of the titanium plate. Following the surgery, the BCVA of the included patients were improved, whereas the axial lengths were reduced followed by resolution of the foveoschisis compared with that noted prior to the operations. All patients had orbital CT examination and the results indicated that the titanium plates were appropriately placed and were not in contact with the optic nerve. Therefore, it is effective to treat myopic foveaschisis by macular buckling using the L-shaped titanium plate and silicon sponge in the presence of vitrectomy.

Episcleral macular buckling for posterior retinal detachment in silicone oil filled eyes associated with myopic macular hole.

AIM: To evaluate anatomical and visual outcomes of episcleral macular buckling (EMB) for posterior retinal detachment in silicone oil filled eyes associated with myopic macular hole. METHODS: Five cases of EMB for initial failure of retinal reattachment after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and silicone oil tamponade caused by myopic macular hole were retrospectively reviewed. A silicone sponge sutured directly across the macular region was performed on the silicone oil filled eyes. Silicone oil was removed no sooner than 1 month post-EMB. The duration of follow-up time after removal of silicone oil was more than 3 months. RESULTS: Retinas of five eyes were all reattached at the last follow-up. The postoperative vision ranged from counting fingers to 0.08. CONCLUSION: Anatomical results improved after EBM for posterior retinal detachment in silicone oil filled eyes associated with myopic macular hole, which was not evident for visual outcome.

Surgical outcomes of macular buckling techniques for macular retinoschisis in highly myopic eyes.

PURPOSE: To report the anatomic and visual results following macular buckling for patients with macular retinoschisis related to high myopia. METHODS: Thirty-nine highly myopic eyes (mean refractive error -16.7 D; range, -9 to -24 D) of 36 patients (mean age 59 years; range, 35-79 years) presenting with macular retinoschisis associated with a posterior staphyloma, who underwent combined vitrectomy and macular buckling were evaluated. Main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings. Three cases were excluded due to short follow-up (less than 3 months). The mean follow-up was 16 months. RESULTS: The mean BCVA increased from 0.76 to 0.43 LogMAR (p = 0.001). Visual acuity improved in 30 eyes (83.3%), remained stable in three eyes (8.3%) and decreased in three eyes (8.3%). OCT showed resolution of foveoschisis with foveal reattachment in all eyes. None of the evaluated patients developed a macular hole during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Macular buckling associated with vitrectomy results in good anatomic and visual outcomes in patients with myopic foveoschisis.

A novel episcleral macular buckling: wire-strengthened sponge exoplant for recurrent macular hole and retinal detachment in high myopic eyes.

The purpose would be to describe and evaluate a novel technique of episcleral macular buckling in postvitrectomy recurrent macular hole retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes. A 7mm silicone sponge strengthened with a U-shaped 0.5mm orthodontics stainless steel wire fed along its length and hand-bent to produce L-shaped buckle of appropriate shape and length, is used. The episcleral macular buckling has performed on 15 highly myopic eyes (axial length > 30mm) with recurrent macular hole retinal detachment following silicone oil removal. Buckle localization has been performed by manipulating the long arm of the exoplant, under direct internal visualization, scleral marking and suturing. Successful retinal reattachment with improvement in visual acuity achieved in all 15 eyes. Closure of the macular holes was confirmed by Optical Coherence Tomography. The anatomical and functional outcomes of this new technique of macular buckling appears to provide an effective and feasible means of retinal reattachment and hole closure in postvitrectomy recurrent macular hole detachment in highly myopic eyes.

Three Cases of Macular Buckling for Retinal Detachment due to Macular Hole in Highly Myopic Eyes

PURPOSE: Retinal detachment due to macular holes in highly myopic eyes is now usually treated by intraocular gas tamponade with pars plana vitrectomy. However, reopening of the macular holes occurs frequently. In this study, we performed macular buckling for recurred retinal detachment caused by macular holes in highly myopic eyes that failed with vitrectomy and intraocular gas tamponade. We observed that these complex cases could be successfully repaired with this procedure. METHODS: Retinal detachment resulting from a macular holes was found to be present in 3 highly myopic eyes. Retinal reattachment was obtained in all eyes following pars plana vitrectomy and removal of the internal limiting membrane in the posterior pole and fluid-gas exchange. A few months later, the retinal redetachment occurred as a result of reopened macular hole. We performed macular buckling as reoperation. RESULTS: After the second surgery, the macular hole remained closed and the retina remained reattached in all 3 eyes. Retinal reattachment was maintained for longer than 3 months of follow-up periods, and the final visual acuity was improved. CONCLUSIONS: This small case series suggest that macular buckling is an effective procedure of reoperation for failed initial vitrectomy for retinal detachment with macular holes in highly myopic eyes.