Long-term follow-up of fellow eye in patients with lamellar macular hole

Phenomenology of spontaneous closure in degenerative and mixed type lamellar macular hole

PURPOSE

To the describe OCT imaging characteristics of a cohort of patients showing spontaneously closing degenerative or mixed type lamellar macular holes (LMH) and to compare them to the ones of a sex and age matched group showing stable lesions.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with degenerative and mixed type LMHs showing OCT-documented spontaneous anatomical closure were retrospectively selected from 3 specialized retina centres. An equal number of age and sex matching subjects were randomly selected among patients with anatomically stable lesions.

RESULTS

Eleven (11) spontaneously closing (SC group) and 11 stable (ST group) degenerative LMH with a mean follow up of 4 years were recruited. Hyperreflective inner border (HIB) and linear hyperreflectivity in the outer plexiform layer (LHOP) at baseline were significantly more prevalent in SC group in processed images (respectively p = 0.007 and p = 0.003). A borderline significance in lamellar hole associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP) at last follow up was detected (p = 0.085). As for mixed type LMH, 10 patients for SC group and 10 for ST group were recruited. LHOP at baseline in processed images was significantly more prevalent in SC group (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Spontaneously closing LMHs show higher prevalence of HIB and LHOP at the beginning of the closing process, a difference which is enhanced by image processing. These signs might be a signal of microglial and Muller cells coordinated activation.

Macular Surgery: Classification, Management and Surgical Techniques

Collapse

Primary Lamellar Macular Holes: To Vit or Not to Vit

There is a wide spectrum of macular conditions that are characterized by an irregular foveal contour caused by a break in the inner fovea. These include full-thickness macular hole (FTMH), foveal pseudocyst, lamellar macular hole (LMH) and macular pseudohole (MPH). Clinical examination of vitreomacular interface disorders is notoriously poor in differentiating these conditions. These conditions were initially described with slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and the main goal was to distinguish an FTMH from the others. The introduction of optical coherence tomography (OCT) has revolutionized our understanding of the foveal microstructural anatomy and has facilitated differentiating these conditions from an FTMH. However, the definitions of the other conditions, particularly LMH, has evolved over the past two decades. Initially the term LMH encompassed a wide spectrum of clinical conditions. As OCT became more widely used and observations became more refined, two different phenotypes of LMH became apparent, raising the question of different pathogenic mechanisms for each phenotype. Tractional and degenerative pathological mechanisms were proposed. Epiretinal membranes (ERMs) associated with each phenotype were identified. Typical ERMs were associated with a tractional mechanism, whereas an epiretinal proliferation was associated with a degenerative mechanism. Epiretinal proliferation represents Müller cell proliferation as a reactive process to retinal injury. These two types of ERM were differentiated by their characteristics on SD-OCT. The latest consensus definitions take into account this phenotypic differentiation and classifies these entities into LMH, MPH and ERM foveoschisis. The initial event in both ERM foveoschisis and LMH is a tractional event that disrupts the Müller cell cone in the foveola or the foveal walls. Depending on the extent of Müller cell disruption, either a LMH or an ERM foveoschisis may develop. Although surgical intervention for LMH remains controversial and no clear guidelines exist for pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), eyes with symptomatic, progressive ERM foveoschisis and LMH may benefit from surgical intervention.

Outcomes from the Retrospective Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study on Lamellar Macular Hole Surgery

Purpose

To analyze the functional and anatomical parameters of lamellar macular hole (LMH) surgery with internal limiting membrane peeling and determine which surgical technique provides the best visual outcome.

Methods

This is a retrospective multicenter cross-sectional study on patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for LMH with or without combined phaco-vitrectomy, as well as gas-, air- or BSS-tamponade. Pre- and postoperative examination included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements for functional comparison and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to determine the contributing anatomical parameters.

Results

A total of 66 consecutive patients were included (age: 71.79 ± 8.52 years), of which 47 (71.2%) were diagnosed as tractional type LMH, and 19 patients (28.8%) as degenerative type. An epiretinal membrane (ERM) was present in 63 of the patients (95.5%), LMH-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP) was present in 19 patients (28.8%), and 16 patients (24.2%) had concomitant ERM and LHEP. In the group of tractional LMH, the mean central foveal thickness (CFT) was 81.1% thicker (P < 0.05) than in the degenerative group. Thirty-one patients (47.0%) underwent a combined phaco-vitrectomy procedure, while the rest underwent 23G, 25G or 27G PPV. Seventeen of the 66 patients received gas-tamponade (25.7%)-either SF₆ or C₃F₈, 26 received air-tamponade (39.4%), while the remaining 23 patients received balanced salt solution (BSS)-tamponade (34.9%) during vitrectomy. The total BCVA showed significant improvement postoperatively (p < 0.001) and accordingly in the following groups: tractional LMH type (p < 0.001), degenerative type (p < 0.001), simple PPV (p < 0.001), phaco-vitrectomy (p < 0.001), BSS injection (p < 0.01), gas-tamponade (p < 0.05). None of the patients included in the study developed a full thickness macular hole postoperatively.

Conclusion

PPV provided a high success rate and functional improvement for treating LMH for both tractional and degenerative types, as well as combined phaco-vitrectomy treatment when cataract was present.

Surgical interventions for lamellar macular holes

BACKGROUND

Lamellar macular holes (LMHs) are small, partial-thickness defects of the macula defined by characteristic features on optical coherence tomography (OCT), including a newly recognised type of epiretinal membrane termed 'epiretinal proliferation'. There may be a rationale to recommend surgery for individuals with LMHs, particularly those with functional or anatomical deterioration, or poor baseline vision causing significant disability, to stabilise the LMH and prevent further visual deterioration; however, there is currently no evidence-based consensus.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of surgical interventions on post-operative visual and anatomical outcomes in people with a confirmed LMH.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid, Scopus SciVerse, ISRCTN registry, US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). We also searched reference lists of included trials to identify other eligible trials which our search strategy may have missed. The date of the search was 20 July 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving participants with a confirmed LMH diagnosis which reported one or more surgical intervention(s), alone or in combination, in at least one arm of the RCT.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methods as expected by Cochrane. Two study authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias for included trials. Trial authors were contacted for further information and clarification.

MAIN RESULTS

A single RCT was eligible for inclusion. Thirty-six participants were randomised in a 2:1 ratio; 24 were allocated to undergo surgery (pars plana vitrectomy, peeling of the epiretial proliferation followed by fovea-sparing removal of the internal limiting membrane) and 12 (10 following two participant dropouts) to observation. Overall, the certainty of the evidence was low for all outcomes due to selection and detection bias, and the low number of participants enrolled in the study which may affect the accuracy of results and reliability of conclusions. At six-month follow-up, change in vision was better in the surgery group (-0.27 logMAR improvement) than observation (0.02 worsening) (mean difference (MD): -0.29 logMAR, 95% confidence intervals (CI): -0.33 to -0.25). Central retinal thickness increased in the surgery group over 6 months 126 μm increase) compared with observation group (decrease by 11μm) (MD: 137 μm, 95% CI: 125.87 μm to 148.13 μm). Finally, at six-month follow-up, retinal sensitivity was better in the surgery group (3.03 dB increase) compared with the observation group (0.06 dB decrease) (MD: 3.09 dB, 95% CI: 2.07 to 4.11 dB). Vision-related quality of life and metamorphopsia were not reported. No adverse outcomes or complications were reported in the study, however, authors could not provide information on whether any individuals developed deterioration in vision of 0.2 logMAR or worse.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The included single trial demonstrated improvements in visual and anatomical outcome measures for participants with a LMH who underwent surgery compared with observation only. Therefore, we can conclude that participants who undergo surgery may achieve superior post-operative best corrected visual acuity and anatomical outcomes compared with observation only. However, the results of a single and small RCT provides limited evidence to support or refute surgery as an effective management option for LMHs. Future RCTs with a larger number of participants and with fewer methodological limitations and biases are necessary to inform future clinical practice.

Comparison of vitreoretinal disorders in fellow eyes of lamellar macular holes versus epiretinal membrane foveoschisis

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare the rate and characteristics of vitreoretinal disorders in fellow eyes of lamellar macular holes (LMH) versus epiretinal membrane foveoschisis (ERMF).

METHODS

Included patients in this retrospective study were divided into two groups based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) features of their primary eye: LMH (group A) and ERMF (group B).

RESULTS

Ninety-four patients were enrolled: 59 (62.8%) in group A and 35 (37.2%) in group B. Fellow eyes in group A had a higher rate of retinal detachment (8/59 [13.6%] vs. 0/35 [0%], P = 0.024), and full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) (11/59 [18.6%] vs. 2/35 [5.7%], P = 0.079), compared with fellow eyes in group B. In group A, 4/59 patients (6.8%) showed a bilateral LMH while none from group B had a LMH in their fellow eye (0/35 [0%]), P = 0.293. Additionally, epiretinal proliferation was noted in 30/59 (50.8%) fellow eyes in group A versus 3/35 (8.6%) fellow eyes in group B, P < 0.001. Longitudinal data were available for 80/94 patients. Over a mean follow-up of 37.4 ± 29.9 months, 1/48 (2.1%) fellow eyes from group A developed a FTMH and 2/48 (4.2%) developed a LMH, while no FTMH or LMH occurred in fellow eyes of group B.

CONCLUSIONS

Fellow eyes of LMH showed a high rate of macular and peripheral vitreoretinal disorders. In addition, epiretinal proliferation was detected in a higher number of fellow eyes of LMH versus ERMF. These findings suggest a bilateral process in eyes of patients with LMH.

A multifocal electroretinography study to evaluate risk of developing macular hole in the fellow eye of patients suffering with unilateral macular hole

Background

Visual outcome of eyes has often been found to be unsatisfactory even after successful closure of a macular hole, owing to factors like persistent metamorphopsia, scotoma, and reduced sensitivity. Therefore, it becomes critical to evaluate and study the probability and risk of developing a macular hole in the fellow eyes of the patient. This study analyzed the multifocal electroretinographic responses to help predict the risk of macular hole development in fellow eyes.

Methods

In total 26 fellow eyes, 26 eyes with macular hole, and 50 eyes of 25 controls were enrolled prospectively. The retinal responses from the different rings were compared in the three groups. Optical coherence tomography was done to rule out macular pathology or vitreomacular traction in the fellow eyes.

Results

All the fellow eyes under observation showed significantly reduced mean amplitudes of retinal response densities, in all rings as compared with controls (31.45 ± 10.38 versus 48.87 ± 7.55, p = 0.00). Three of the fellow eyes developed a macular hole during the 24 months observation period. The prevalence of fellow eye involvement was 11.5%. Relative risk of developing macular hole in the fellow eye ranged from 25 to 75.

Conclusion

All the fellow eyes, including those that did not develop a macular hole, showed significantly reduced responses on multifocal electroretinogram. This indicates that macular hole may not be a focal disease. It may have widespread functional deficit which is bilateral in nature and suggestive of a degenerative or ischemic insult.

Higher Vascular Density of the Superficial Retinal Capillary Plexus in Degenerative Lamellar Macular Holes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) comparison between vessel density in patients with degenerative-subtype lamellar macular hole (LMH) and healthy individuals. Unaffected fellow eyes were also included in the study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This observational, cross-sectional study examined 32 eyes affected by unilateral degenerative-subtype LMH, as well as the 32 fellow eyes of the enrolled population. Thirty healthy eyes were used as controls. ImageJ software was used to calculate macular vessel density in the three vascular plexuses (superficial capillary plexus [SCP], deep capillary plexus [DCP], choriocapillaris [CC]) in two regions: (1) a fovea-centered 1.5-mm diameter circular area after subtracting the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, obtaining a "ring" in the immediate FAZ proximity (peri-FAZ); (2) the area external to (1) included in the scan.

RESULTS

In the peri-FAZ, the SCP of both LMH and fellow eyes showed higher vascular density than in controls (P = .004 for LMH; P = .015 for fellow eye), whereas no difference was evident between LMH and fellow eyes (P = .190). No changes were found in the DCP or the CC. No differences in vessel density of the three plexuses in the area outside the peri-FAZ were evident in any of the three groups. The FAZ in the SCP was larger in the LMH (0.39 ± 0.16 mm²) and in the fellow eye (0.39 ± 0.21 mm²) groups compared with controls (0.27 ± 0.07 mm²; P = .021 for LMH; P = .0043 for fellow eye), whereas it was similar between LMH and fellow eyes (P = .967).

CONCLUSIONS

Degenerative-subtype LMH in the immediate proximity of the FAZ has a larger FAZ and higher vascular density in the SCP compared with healthy eyes. Unaffected fellow eyes also have increased vascular density compared with controls. Microvascular changes are evident in both LMH and unaffected fellow eyes and might play a role in disease pathogenesis. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2019;50:e112-e117.].