[Vitrectomy and iOCT-assisted inverted ILM flap technique in patients with full thickness macular holes]

Long-Term Follow-Up of Refractory Large Macular Hole with Autologous Neurosensory Retinal Free Flap Transplantation

Purpose

To evaluate the long-term anatomic and functional outcomes of autologous neurosensory retinal free flap transplantation (ART) for patients with refractory large macular hole (MH).

Design

Retrospective interventional case series.

Methods

We reviewed 9 patients who underwent ART for their refractory large MH. In this extended follow-up study, postoperative assessment including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were recorded at 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months after surgery.

Results

The macular hole of all patients appeared successfully closed during the whole follow-up period. The mean logMAR BCVA improved from 1.61 ± 0.44 (preoperative) to 0.72 ± 0.30 (12 months after surgery) (p < 0.001). Thereafter, the mean BCVA remained stable at each follow-up. At the mean 16.0 ± 0.8 months postoperatively, inner retinal cystic changes were observed in 4 eyes (44.4%), but these did not significantly affect vision.

Conclusion

ART is a good alternative technique for closing large refractory macular holes. Although inner retinal cystic changes were observed in 4 eyes (44.4%), this phenomenon did not significantly affect visual acuity. It provides long-term good anatomical and functional results, especially in cases where insufficient ILM or lens capsule are left.

Visual improvement and regeneration of retinal layers in eyes with small, medium, and large idiopathic full-thickness macular holes treated with the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique over a period of 12 months

PURPOSE

This study aims to compare the improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the reduction in defect length of external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) in small ([Formula: see text] 250 μm), medium ([Formula: see text] 250 μm), and large ([Formula: see text] 400 μm) full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) treated with inverted internal limiting membrane (I-ILM) flap technique over a follow-up period of 12 months.

METHODS

Ninety-one eyes of 87 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. BCVA and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) were conducted preoperatively as well as after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. The defect length of the ELM and the EZ was measured using the caliper tool at each follow-up time point.

RESULTS

BCVA improved significantly in the group of small, medium, and large FTMH over the time of 12 months, whereby the improvement did not depend on FTMH size over 9 months. Only after 12 months, large FTMH showed significantly higher BCVA improvement compared to small and medium FTMH. The closure rate was 100% (91/91). The defect length of ELM and EZ reduced continuously over the period of 12 months. There was a significant correlation between defect length of ELM and EZ with postoperative BCVA.

CONCLUSION

The I-ILM flap technique has very good morphological and functional outcomes in small, medium, and large FTMH over a long-time period, indicating that it can be considered as a treatment option in small and medium FTMH. The defect length of ELM and EZ is directly connected to postoperative BCVA.

[iOCT in clinical use : Correlation of intraoperative morphology and postoperative visual outcome in patients with full thickness macular hole]

Hintergrund

Die Beurteilung der intraoperativen Veränderung der Netzhautmorphologie, insbesondere des vitreoretinalen Überganges, ist mithilfe der intraoperativen optischen Kohärenztomografie (iOCT) möglich geworden.

Ziel der Arbeit

Um die Bedeutung der intraoperativen Morphologie beim durchgreifenden Makulaforamen (MF) für das postoperative funktionelle Ergebnis zu evaluieren, wurde eine retrospektive, klinische Beobachtungsstudie durchgeführt.

Material und Methoden

Die Netzhautmorphologie wurde in 32 Augen von 32 konsekutiven Patienten mit durchgreifendem Makulaforamen mittels iOCT zu verschiedenen Zeitpunkten während der Operation beobachtet. Die Veränderungen wurden anschließend mit dem postoperativen funktionellen Ergebnis korreliert.

Ergebnisse

Nach Induktion der hinteren Glaskörperabhebung (HGA) reduzierte sich der Makulaforamen-Index (MHI) um −0,05 (p = 0,01), die basale Foramenbreite (FB) stieg um +99,4 μm (SD = 197,8 μm; p = 0,04). Die Verschlussrate betrug 100 % zum Zeitpunkt der ersten postoperativen Vorstellung nach im Mittel 73 Tagen, der postoperative Visus verbesserte sich signifikant (p < 0,05).

Es zeigte sich eine signifikant positive Korrelation von intraoperativer Morphologie und postoperativem Ergebnis zwischen einem niedrigen MHI und einem besseren postoperativen Visus (SKK = 0,50; p = 0,02), zwischen einer großen FB und einem besseren postoperativen Visus (SKK = 0,43; p = 0,05) sowie zwischen einer breiten Apertur nach HGA und einem größeren Visusanstieg postoperativ (SKK = 0,44; p = 0,03).

Diskussion

Wir konnten eine Abflachung sowie eine Verbreiterung des MF durch Lösen der vitreoretinalen Zugkräfte beobachten. Aufgrund des Zusammenhangs zwischen einer großen intraoperativen FB mit einem besseren postoperativen Visus scheint die intraoperative Relaxierung der Netzhaut bedeutsam.

Intraoperative OCT - Real-World User Evaluation in Routine Surgery

BACKGROUND

In recent years, great progress has been made in intraoperative imaging using optical coherence tomography (iOCT). There are now several commercially available iOCT systems that allow high-resolution imaging of all structures of the eye without interrupting surgery. This real-time visualisation can provide additional information to conventional surgical microscopy, but is relatively expensive. The aim of our study was to find out how often OCT integrated into the surgical microscope is used by trained surgeons, or to what extent they consider that iOCT is relevant for intraoperative procedures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective monocentric analysis was conducted of the field of application and user-friendliness of the EnFocus Ultra-Deep OCT (Leica Microsystems), a mobile device combination of surgical microscope and OCT. The use and benefit were investigated of iOCT, which was not mandatory. Standardised documentation and evaluation using a questionnaire was performed by the respective surgeon (n = 5) immediately after surgery.

RESULTS

Over a period of 25 working days, 118 procedures were performed in the operating theatre equipped with the microscope-OCT combination. The iOCT was used in 24.6% of the 118 procedures performed. iOCT was regarded as crucial to the intraoperative procedure in 3 of the 29 patients. In one patient, it was possible to check graft orientation during a DMEK operation in a very opaque cornea and, in the second patient, to visualise the correct positioning of an iris diaphragm in the capsular bag. In the third patient, the risk of developing a pseudoforamen was assessed, and this led to the decision not to perform a full gliosis peel.

CONCLUSION

Experienced surgeons in a university eye hospital with a full surgical spectrum considered that intraoperative OCT was decisive for the course of surgery in only a few selected surgical situations, e.g. in case of limited corneal transparency. The impact of the use of iOCT on post-operative outcome quality still needs to be evaluated by larger prospective studies. On the basis of this survey, the cost-benefit ratio is still unclear.

Intraoperative Observation of a Macular Holes Using Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE

This study aimed to observe intraoperative changes in macular hole (MH) form using intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT).

METHODS

A total of 10 eyes from 10 patients with MH who underwent vitrectomy using iOCT from May 2015 to October 2015 at the Yamagata University Hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Accordingly, 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy using iOCT with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and sulfur hexafluoride gas tamponade was performed on each patient. During surgery, MHs were observed using iOCT over four points, namely, before posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) formation, after PVD formation, after ILM peeling, and after fluid-gas exchange. Thereafter, basal MH diameter and minimum aperture MH diameter were postoperatively analyzed.

RESULTS

Before PVD formation, after PVD formation, after ILM peeling, and after fluid-gas exchange, the mean basal MH diameters were 690.7 ± 268.4, 683.3 ± 274.2, 683.7 ± 269.5, and 668.3 ± 261.4 μm, while the mean minimum aperture MH diameters were 278.3 ± 165.2, 283.0 ± 170.2, 257.0 ± 127.8, and 188.0 ± 105.0 μm, respectively. The mean minimum aperture MH diameter decreased significantly after fluid-gas exchange (one-way repeated measures ANOVA, p < 0.05). None of the patients exhibited intraoperative closure of the MHs. However, MH closure was confirmed in all patients after the surgery.

CONCLUSION

None of the patients demonstrated intraoperative MHs closure. Accordingly, the minimum aperture MH diameter was the first change formation to close after fluid-gas exchange.

[Large macular hole-Always a poor prognosis?]

Hintergrund

Alter, präoperativer Visus und Makulaforamengröße gelten als prognostische Marker für das postoperative Ergebnis bei Patienten mit durchgreifendem Makulaforamen (MF).

Ziel der Arbeit

Um den postoperativen Verlauf nach i‑ILM Peeling (inverted-Flap ILM-Peeling) mit konventionellem ILM-Peeling (k-ILM) zu vergleichen, wurde eine retrospektive Beobachtungsstudie durchgeführt. Patienten mit i‑ILM Peeling hatten dabei präoperativ ein statistisch signifikant größeres Makulaforamen.

Material und Methoden

Es wurden 45 konsekutive Patienten mit durchgreifendem Makulaforamen (MF) in 2 Gruppen (i-ILM vs. k‑ILM) eingeteilt und auf Unterschiede im postoperativen Visus (BCVA) und der Netzhautmorphologie hin untersucht. Die Integrität der äußeren Netzhautschichten, äußere limitierende Membran (ELM), ellipsoide Zone (EZ) und äußere Photorezeptoraußensegmente (OS), wurde postoperativ mittels SD-OCT (Spectral-Domain-OCT) analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Die präoperative Apertur in der i‑ILM Gruppe war signifikant größer (i-ILM = 408,4 µm, SD = 157,5 µm; k‑ILM = 287,4 µm, SD = 104,9 µm; p = 0,01). Der Ausgangsvisus sowie der postoperative Visus nach 1 Monat waren in der Gruppe mit k‑ILM-Peeling signifikant besser (p = 0,03 und p = 0,001). Der postoperative Visus nach mindestens 6 Monaten zeigte keinen signifikanten Unterschied zwischen den beiden Gruppen (p = 0,24). Die ELM zeigte als erste der äußeren Netzhautschichten eine Re-Integrität in beiden Gruppen.

Schlussfolgerung

Mithilfe der i‑ILM-Peeling-Technik erschien es in dieser konsekutiven Serie möglich zu sein, für Patienten mit großem durchgreifendem MF ein ähnliches postoperatives Visusergebnis zur erreichen wie für mittels k‑ILM-Peeling-Technik operierte Patienten mit kleinerem durchgreifendem MF.

[Biomarkers in full-thickness and lamellar defects of the macula]

BACKGROUND

Biomarkers are characteristic biological measurable signs and objective parameters to detect the state of health. Besides functional and temporal factors, imaging biomarkers play an increasingly important role. In full-thickness and lamellar defects of the macula numerous imaging parameters have been described. This knowledge resulted in new classifications for both clinical pictures, which are based on important biomarkers of these clinical pictures and characteristic features of described subtypes.

METHODS

Imaging biomarkers for full-thickness and lamellar macular defects are described with respect to the classification and their functional prognostic importance. The importance of these biomarkers is presented.

RESULTS

The current classification of full-thickness and lamellar macular defects is based on structural biomarkers. Biomarkers are important for prognostic and therapeutic evaluation and they have an impact on the surgical strategy. There are various surgical strategies for treatment of full-thickness macular holes depending on the size of the foramen and other biomarkers. The inverted ILM flap technique improves the closure rate of large macular holes. In lamellar macular holes showing signs of progression an early surgical intervention results in a good anatomical and functional prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Multimodal diagnostics provide important preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative features for macular holes and lamellar macular holes, which are essential biomarkers for the exact classification, the therapeutic strategy and for assessment of the prognosis.

iOCT-assisted macular hole surgery: outcomes and utility from the DISCOVER study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study aimed to characterise the clinical outcomes and utility of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT)-assisted macular hole (MH) repair.

METHODS

This was a post hoc analysis of eyes in the D etermination of feasibility of I ntraoperative S pectral domain microscope C ombined/integrated O CT V isualization during E n face R etinal and ophthalmic surgery (DISCOVER) study undergoing surgical MH repair with use of iOCT. Functional and surgical outcome data were collected through 12 months postoperatively. MH closure rate, postoperative visual acuity (VA), percentage of cases in which iOCT provided valuable feedback and altered surgical decision making were measured.

RESULTS

Eighty-four eyes were included in this study. The mean preoperative VA measured 20/114. The mean postoperative VA improved to 20/68 (p<0.001) at month 1, 20/48 (p<0.001) at month 3 and 20/45 (p<0.001) at month 12 or later. In 43 cases (51%), surgeons reported that iOCT provided valuable information (eg, confirming release of vitreomacular traction and identification of occult residual membranes). In 10 cases (12%), iOCT data specifically altered surgical decision making. Postoperative day 1 transtamponade OCT confirmed tissue apposition and apparent hole closure in 74% of eyes (21/26). All five open holes on postoperative day 1 closed following positioning. Single-surgery MH closure was achieved in 97.6% of cases. One persistent MH was successfully closed with a subsequent surgical repair for a final overall closure rate of 98.8%. Due to chronicity and MH size, additional repair was not recommended for the single remaining persistent MH.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that iOCT may have important utility in MH surgery, including impacting surgical decision making. iOCT-assisted MH surgery resulted in significant improvement in VA and high single-surgery success rate.

Inverted ILM Flap Technique in Idiopathic Full-Thickness Macular Hole Surgery: Functional Outcomes and Their Correlation with Morphologic Findings

Objectives

The inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique has been shown to increase the success rate in large full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs) and in FTMHs associated with high myopia. The aim of our study was to confirm the efficacy and safety of inverted ILM flap technique in idiopathic FTMHs independent of their dimensions and to assess functional outcomes and their correlation to morphologic findings.

Methods

Sixteen consecutive patients affected by idiopathic FTMH were enrolled in this prospective study. The preoperative mean (±SD) diameter of the FTMH was 422 (±106) µm. All patients underwent vitrectomy and ILM peeling with inverted ILM flap. At 1-, 3-, and 6-month postoperative visits, visual acuity measurement, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and microperimetry were performed, and the foveal contour and the integrity of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM) were investigated using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Results

At six months postoperatively, 15 out of 16 (93.75%) patients obtained FTMH closure. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 1.1 LogMAR to 0.3 LogMAR, and the mean retinal sensitivity (MS) improved from 7.2 to 23.4 dB. ELM defects were evident in 1 out of 16 (6.25%) eyes, and EZ defects were detected in 2 out of 16 (12,50%) eyes. A statistically significant relationship was observed between BCVA, MS, and EZ reconstitution at each follow-up visit.

Conclusions

Results confirm that the inverted ILM flap technique is a safe and effective option for FTMH treatment and show a strong correlation between higher BCVAs and MSs and EZ reconstitution after surgery.

Inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique in eyes with large idiopathic full-thickness macular hole: long-term functional and morphological outcomes

Purpose

To investigate morphological and functional outcomes of the inverted internal limiting membrane (I-ILM) flap technique in large (≥ 400 μm) idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) over a follow-up period of 12 months.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 55 eyes of 54 consecutive patients were enrolled. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT, Heidelberg, Spectralis) were performed preoperatively as well as 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. Special focus was put on the reintegration of outer retinal layers and the different ILM flap appearances.

Results

FTMH closure rate was 100% (55/55). BCVA significantly improved over the follow-up period of 12 months from 0.98 ± 0.38 LogMAR preoperatively to 0.42 ± 0.33 LogMAR at 12 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between the three different ILM flap appearances and BCVA. Better preoperative BCVA, complete restoration of the external limiting membrane (ELM), higher macular hole index (MHI), and smaller MH base diameter were associated with higher improvement of BCVA.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the favorable morphological and functional outcomes of the I-ILM flap technique in the short as well as in the long term. While complete ELM restoration revealed to be an important factor for improvement in BCVA, the different postoperative ILM flap appearances seem not to be related to BCVA.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00417-021-05082-7.

Macular hole edge morphology predicts restoration of postoperative retinal microstructure and functional outcome

Background

To investigate the ability of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) during macular hole (MH) surgery to image different hole edge configurations and predict the restoration of retinal microstructure and visual outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective case series study included 53 MH patients. One eye each was assessed with iOCT during vitrectomy after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. The MHs were categorized into three groups according to the morphology of the hole edge. The Hole-Door group had vertical pillars of tissue that projected into the vitreous cavity after ILM peeling. The Foveal Flap group had a preoperative foveal flap that adhered to the hole edge after ILM peeling, and the Negative group had neither a hole-door nor a foveal flap. At 6 months after surgery, the retinal microstructure restoration and visual outcomes were compared among the groups.

Results

All eyes had MH closure, and the postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was significantly improved compared with the preoperative BCVA (P < 0.001). The Hole-Door group (n = 15) and Foveal Flap group (n = 14) had significantly better final visual acuity and postoperative restoration of the external limiting membrane (ELM) than the Negative group (n = 24) (P = 0.002, P = 0.012). For the group in which the MH diameter (MHD) was ≤400 μm (n = 25), there were no significant differences in ELM restoration, ellipsoid zone (EZ) restoration, or BCVA among the three groups (P = 0.516, P = 0.179, and P = 0.179 respectively). For the MHD > 400-μm group (n = 28, the Hole-Door group and Foveal Flap group had significantly better final visual acuity and restoration of ELM than the Negative group (P = 0.013, P = 0.005).

Conclusions

The novel use of iOCT during MH surgery confirmed the presence of hole edges configured as door-holes, foveal flaps, or neither. The data acquired by iOCT can provide useful predictive information for postoperative restoration of the retinal microstructure and visual outcome of MH, especially large ones.

Application of subretinal fluid to close refractory full thickness macular holes: treatment strategies and primary outcome: APOSTEL study

INTRODUCTION

Persisting macular holes (PMH) after surgical release of any epiretinal traction of the vitreous and adjacent membrane may rely on secondary firm adhesions between the retracted retina and adjacent retinal pigment epithelium. Secondary application of subretinal (SR)-fluid may release these adhesions followed by an anatomical closure.

METHODS

Twelve surgeons applied in a consecutive case series SR-fluid in 41 eyes with PMH and reported retrospectively their initial surgical, anatomical and functional experience with this approach.

RESULTS

The mean duration of the MH prior to SR-fluid application was 17 months (6-96 months). The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 72 years (54-88). The mean preoperative aperture diameter of the opening was 1212 μm (239-4344 μm), base diameter 649 μm (SD 320 μm). The mean preoperative BCVA prior to surgery was 0.1 (0.01-0.3). All patients (41/41) complained about reduced BCVA and a significant central scotoma (negative scotoma) in their central field of vision. The secondary closure rate for our PMH was 85.36% (35 out of 41 eyes) at 6 weeks after surgery. The postoperative BCVA improved to 0.22 (0.02-0.5). The application of SR-fluid was not associated with major intraoperative adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

Remaining SR-adhesions may inhibit PMH closure. Their release by application of SR-fluid will lead to a fast and immediate anatomical closure in many cases without serious adverse events.

Internal limiting membrane flap technique in macular hole surgery

Vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling is popular for the treatment of macular hole (MH). However, the improvements of MH closure rate and postoperative visual acuity are not satisfactory especially in large and refractory MHs. Currently, the ILM flap technique has gradually been applied for the treatment of MH and achieved high MH closure rate. The ILM flap technique has many variations, including the difference of the size, shape, number, and manner in which the flaps put on the MHs. The ILM flap technique also has some auxiliary means including perfluoro-n-octane (PFO), dye, autologous blood and adhesive viscoelastics. There is controversy about the effects between several technique variations of ILM flap, and it needs to be explored in the future.

[Effect of Dyes Containing Lutein on Enhanced Visibility of Epiretinal Pathologies in Intraoperative OCT]

BACKGROUND

Epiretinal membranes are a disorder leading to metamorphopsia and loss in visual function. The gold standard in therapy is vitrectomy with membrane peeling, usually performed with chromovitrectomy. The aim of this study was to examine whether dyes containing lutein are capable of enhancing visualization of epiretinal tissue in intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a prospective study that included 20 eyes of 20 patients with idiopathic epiretinal membranes scheduled for surgery. 23 G pars plana vitrectomy with intraoperative assistance of iOCT was performed in all cases. Staining of epiretinal membranes was performed with dyes containing trypan blue, brilliant blue G and lutein (tripledyne and dualdyne, both Kemin Industries Inc., USA).

RESULTS

In all patients (n = 20), staining of epiretinal tissue was good, and crystalline lutein particles could be well depicted in iOCT compared to soluble lutein that does not enhance visualisation of epiretinal tissue in iOCT.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of lutein to commonly used dye formulations offers good staining properties and, in case of crystalline lutein, also enhances epiretinal tissue in iOCT.

Dynamic intraoperative optical coherence tomography for inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique in large macular hole surgery

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of dynamic intraoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (iSD-OCT) imaging for inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique (IILMFT) in large macular hole (MH) surgery.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Prospective, non-randomized, observational study was conducted on 8 eyes of 7 patients with large, chronic and recurrent MHs, which were treated by pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with IILMFT. All patients underwent standard pre- and postoperative examination. The iSD-OCT imaging was performed using microscope integrated systems before, during, and after ILM peeling. The iSD-OCT data were post-processed using graphic software and reviewed for tissue behavior and instruments position.

RESULTS

The real-time iSD-OCT-assisted IILMFT allowed for real-time imaging of the entire surgery with visualization of the MH, vitreoretinal instruments, and all steps of inverted ILM flap formation. In spite of shadowing created by the steel instruments, it was possible to follow and control the distance between the instrument tips and retinal layers. Dynamic imaging of the surgical maneuvers including ILM peeling and mechanical apposition of MH edges revealed the iatrogenic impact on the retina (depression and appearance of hyporeflective zones). iSD-OCT imaging could confirm the proper position of the inverted ILM flap at the very end of the surgery after fluid-air exchange.

CONCLUSIONS

iSD-OCT imaging is an effective tool for learning and performing a well-controlled and safe inverted ILM flap technique in patients with large MH. Clinical significance of the structural iSD-OCT findings has to be further studied.