Comparative study of 1 DD and 2 DD radius conventional internal limiting membrane peeling in large idiopathic full-thickness macular holes: a randomized controlled trial

Imaging the Area of Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling after Macular Hole Surgery

Background: The aim of this study was to compare en-face optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO) imaging at different wavelengths to identify the internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling area after primary surgery with vitrectomy and ILM peeling for macular hole (MH). Methods: In total, 50 eyes of 50 consecutive patients who underwent primary surgery with vitrectomy and ILM peeling for MH were studied. The true ILM rhexis based on intraoperative color fundus photography was compared to the presumed ILM rhexis identified by a blinded examiner using en-face OCT imaging and cSLO images at various wavelengths. To calculate the fraction of overlap (FoO), the common intersecting area and the total of both areas were measured. Results: The FoO for the measured areas was 0.93 ± 0.03 for en-face OCT, 0.76 ± 0.06 for blue reflectance (BR; 488 nm), 0.71 ± 0.09 for green reflectance (GR; 514 nm), 0.56 ± 0.07 for infrared reflectance (IR; 815 nm) and 0.73 ± 0.06 for multispectral (MS). The FoO in the en-face OCT group was significantly higher than in all other groups, whereas the FoO in the IR group was significantly lower compared to all other groups. No significant differences were observed in FoO among the MS, BR, and GR groups. In en-face OCT, there was no significant change in the ILM peeled area measured intraoperatively and postoperatively (8.37 ± 3.01 vs. 8.24 ± 2.81 mm2; p = 0.8145). Nasal-inferior foveal displacement was observed in 38 eyes (76%). Conclusions: En-face OCT imaging demonstrates reliable postoperative visualization of the ILM peeled area. Although the size of the ILM peeling remains stable after one month, our findings indicate a notable inferior-nasal shift of the overall ILM peeling area towards the optic disc.

Effect of internal limiting membrane surgical techniques on the idiopathic and refractory management of macular holes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Macular holes (MHs), including atraumatic idiopathic and refractory MHs, affect central vision acuity due to full-thickness defects in the retinal tissue. The existing controversy regarding the pathophysiology and management of MHs has significantly improved with the implementation of internal limiting membrane (ILM) surgical techniques and improved MH closure rates. Thus, to determine the effect of ILM techniques on large idiopathic and refractory MH management, the present study systematically reviewed 5910 original research articles extracted from online literature databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Embase, following the PRISMA guidelines. The primary outcome measures were MH closure rate and postoperative visual acuity. A total of 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with adequate patient information and information on the effect of ILM peeling, inverted ILM flaps, autologous retinal transplantation (ART), and ILM insertion techniques on large idiopathic and refractory MH patients were retrieved and analyzed using RevMan software (version 5.3) provided by the Cochrane Collaboration. Statistical risk of bias analysis was also conducted on the selected sources using RoB2, which showed a low risk of bias in the included studies. A meta-analysis indicated that the inverted ILM flap technique had a significantly greater MH closure rate for primary MH than the other treatment methods (OR = 3. 22, 95% CI 1.34-7.43; p = 0.01). Furthermore, the findings showed that the inverted ILM flap group had significantly better postoperative visual acuity than did the other treatment options for patients with idiopathic MH (WMD = - 0.13; 95% CI = 0.22-0.09; p = 0.0002). The ILM peeling technique had the second highest statistical significance for MH closure rates in patients with idiopathic MH (OR = 2. 72, 95% CI: 1.26-6.32; p = 0.016). In refractory MHs, autologous retinal transplant (ART) and multilayer ILM plug (MIP) techniques improve the closure rate and visual function; human amniotic membrane grafting (hAMG) provides a high degree of anatomical outcomes but disappointing visual results. This study demonstrated the reliability and effectiveness of ILM techniques in improving the functional and anatomical outcomes of large idiopathic and refractory MH surgery. These findings will help clinicians choose the appropriate treatment technique for patients with idiopathic and refractory MH.

Comparison of Different Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling Sizes for Idiopathic Macular Holes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Although internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling facilitates macular hole (MH) closure and reduces late hole reopening, it brings some detrimental consequences to the retinal microstructure and functional outcomes. So far, previous studies have not reached a consensus on the optimal ILM peeling size.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of different ILM peeling sizes for idiopathic MHs.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, and WANFANG were searched until April 10, 2022. Studies in English or Chinese that compare the effects of two ILM peeling sizes (>2 disk diameters [DDs] vs. ≤2DD) for idiopathic MHs were included. The overall closure rate, postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), type 1 closure, and adverse events were extracted. BCVA was converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR).

RESULTS

Seven eligible studies (560 eyes) including 3 randomized clinical trials, 3 prospective trials, and one retrospective cohort were included. Pooled results showed a significantly better postoperative BCVA (mean difference = -0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.27 to -0.04; LogMAR) and higher type 1 closure rate (risk ratio [RR] = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.08-1.43) in eyes with ILM peeling >2DD than those with peeling ≤2DD. No significant difference was found in overall closure rate and adverse events between the two groups. Subgroup analysis indicated that in MHs >400 μm, peeling >2DD helped obtain a better postoperative BCVA (mean difference = -0.17; 95% CI: -0.29 to -0.04; LogMAR) and higher frequency of type 1 closure (RR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.03-1.51).

CONCLUSIONS

Peeling >2DD shares similar safety level with peeling ≤2DD and has a superiority of facilitating visual recovery. Larger ILM peeling may be more beneficial for large MHs.

Macular Holes: Main Clinical Presentations, Diagnosis, and Therapies

Macular holes are a spectrum of retinal diseases that comprehends full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs), refractory/recurrent macular holes, lamellar macular holes (LMHs), myopic macular holes (MMHs), traumatic macular holes, and macular holes secondary to other retinal pathologies or injuries. There are various classifications of the subtypes of macular hole, and only in recent times researchers defined a common nomenclature, especially thanks to the evolution in retinal imaging, offered by new instruments like the swept-source OCT. The proposed therapies for macular holes are different and range from a “wait-and-see” approach to the vitrectomy, with different results in each subtype of macular hole. This narrative review has the purpose to investigate the available evidence in literature to give a summary of the knowledge about these retinal pathologies.