TIMING AND OUTCOME OF SURGERY FOR PERSISTENT MACULAR HOLE

Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant to Treat Persistent Full-Thickness Macular Hole

Purpose: To describe a new technique for the secondary repair of persistent full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs). Methods: This series evaluated 3 cases of a persistent FTMH after pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and 20% sulfur hexafluoride gas tamponade. After at least 4 weeks (mean, 36.3; range, 32-40) of unsuccessful topical treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, an intravitreal dexamethasone implant was injected. Results: The intravitreal dexamethasone implant led to anatomic closure and visual improvement in all 3 cases over a 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: An intravitreal dexamethasone implant could be considered in the management of selected cases of persistent FTMH. Further studies and a consistent number of cases are needed to fully understand the role of intravitreal dexamethasone implants in persistent FTMHs.

A Case of Closure of Recurrent Full-Thickness Macular Hole by Spontaneous Retinal Detachment around the Macular Hole and Gas Tamponade

Introduction

Here, we present a case of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) recurrence following two vitrectomies, accompanied by additional internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and gas tamponade. Ultimately, FTMH closure was accomplished by spontaneous retinal detachment around the macular hole and gas tamponade alone.

Case Presentation

The patient, a 54-year-old woman with a lamellar macular hole, had a visual acuity of 20/100 in her left eye. The treatment regimen included cataract surgery, a 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy involving ILM peeling, application of the lamellar hole epiretinal proliferation embedding technique, and subsequent gas tamponade. Closure of the lamellar macular hole was observed a month post-surgery, improving visual acuity to 20/40. However, FTMH developed 3 months after the initial surgery, resulting in visual acuity decline to 20/100. A 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy was performed with extensive ILM peeling and 20% sulfur hexafluoride gas tamponade. FTMH closure was noted within 19 days after reoperation, enhancing visual acuity to 20/66. Approximately 1.5 months after reoperation, a pinhole-shaped macular hole was identified, and the patient opted for follow-up observation due to her refusal to undergo additional surgery. As the macular hole gradually enlarged resembling retinal detachment, outpatient fluid-gas exchange with 14% perfluoropropane was performed 3.5 months after reoperation. The FTMH closed within a week post-gas injection and remained closed for more than 1 year. Consequently, visual acuity in the left eye was sustained at 20/50.

Conclusion

We encountered a case that might highlight the significance of releasing subretinal adhesions surrounding a FTMH for successful closure.

Outcomes of revision surgery for idiopathic macular hole after failed primary vitrectomy

Persistent idiopathic macular hole (PIMH), the occurrence of idiopathic macular holes that have failed to close after standard pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, has become a global health threat to the aging population. Because postoperative anatomic closure or restoration of visual acuity is more difficult to achieve in PIMH, surgical approaches that would yield the best outcomes remain to be elucidated. On paper, extended ILM peeling combined with silicone oil (SiO) tamponade is believed to be a feasible option for excellent macular hole closure. However, no studies on this combined treatment for PIMH is compared with simple air tamponade have been conducted. Thus, in this retrospective case series, we used spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and other technologies to investigate real-world evidence for the anatomical and functional outcomes of revisional PPV with either SiO or air tamponade for failed primary idiopathic macular hole surgery. We included the records of 76 patients with PIMH who had SD-OCT examinations and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Regression analysis was performed to find factors affecting PIMH fracture closure. Seventy-six participants were allocated to a SiO group (n = 21, with an extended ILM peeling and SiO tamponade) or an air group (n = 55, with extended ILM peeling and air tamponade). Anatomical success was achieved in 18 (85.7%) and 40 (72.7%) eyes in the SiO and air groups, respectively (p = 0.37). BCVA was significantly improved in both subgroups of closed PIMH (SiO group: p = 0.041; air group: p < 0.001). Minimum linear diameter (MLD) was closely related to the closure rate (OR, 1.0; 95% CI (0.985-0.999); p = 0.03). MLD = 650 μm seemed like a cut-off point for closure rate (MLD ≤ 650 μm vs. MLD > 650 μm; 88.4% vs. 52%, p = 0.002). In conclusion, we demonstrated that extended ILM peeling combined with SiO or air tamponade is effective in PIMH treatment. Moreover, though not statistically significant herein, the anatomic closure rate was better for silicone-operated eyes than for air-operated eyes. MLD is the best predictor of PIMH closure; MLD ≤ 650 μm could achieve a significantly higher closure rate.

Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling and Gas Tamponade For Full-Thickness Macular Holes of Different Etiology - Is It Still Relevant?

Background

Despite the abundance of novel surgical approaches proposed for full thickness macular hole (FTMH) treatment, the choice of the optimal technique remains debatable Vitrectomy with «classic» internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade remains the standard of FTMH surgery in many cases, but there are still very limited recent publications on the outcomes of such surgery.

Purpose

To investigate the anatomical and functional result and to analyze the significance of outcome-related risk factors of the classic 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with ILM peeling and gas tamponade (GT) for treatment of FTMH of different etiology.

Patients and methods

Thirty-eight eyes of thirty-seven patients with FTMH who underwent 25-gauge PPV, ILM peeling and GT were recruited for this retrospective, consecutive, interventional study. Four eyes with persistent holes underwent a re-operation. Outcome-related factors were discussed.

Results

The primary closure rate was 89.5% (34/38). All eyes that underwent the repeated surgery (4 cases) obtained final closure. A hole size of >500 μm has a statistically significant effect on the primary macular hole closure (F = 0.048; φ = 0.38; p ˂ 0.05). In the general group (N = 38), the duration of symptoms directly correlated with age (ρ = 0.34; p = 0.04), size of the hole (ρ = 0.66; p ˂ 0.001) and BCVA before surgery (ρ = 0.59; p ˂ 0.001), after 1 month (ρ = 0.36; p = 0.03), and after 3 months (ρ = 0.35; p = 0.03). Preoperative BCVA was better in initially closed cases (Group 1) (U = 26.0; p = 0.05). In the Group 2 with primary unclosed holes, 75% of the eyes (3/4) had an axial length (AL) >26 mm, while in Group 1 such eyes were 12.5 times less (2/34) 5.9% (F = 0.004; φ = 0.63; р ˂ 0.01). The ELM recovery rate at 3 months was 92% (35/38 eyes) and the restoration of EZ at 3 months was 47% (18/38 eyes). Best-corrected visual acuity of all individuals improved significantly from 0.72 ± 0.35 (logMAR) (Me = 0.7; IQR: 0.5-0.8) to 0.25±0.14 (logMAR) (Me = 0.2; IQR: 0.2 - 0.3) at 1 month and 0.17 ± 0.13 (logMAR) (Me = 0.2; IQR: 0.1 - 0.2) at 3 months after surgery (P = 0.0001).

Conclusion

25G PPV with ILM and GT for FTMH of different etiology provide satisfactory morphologic and functional outcomes. Elongated AL, large diameter of MH and long duration of symptoms are the risk factors for initial closure. Proper second surgery can obtain satisfactory outcomes for persistent holes.

Intravitreal gas injection for early persistent macular hole after primary pars plana vitrectomy

Purpose

To report the clinical presentations and outcome of early intravitreal injection (IVI) of octafluoropropane (C₃F₈) for persistent macular holes (MH) after primary pars plana vitrectomy with the internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling technique.

Methods

Nineteen eyes of 18 patients with persistent MH after vitrectomy underwent intravitreal injection of C₃F₈ between 11 and 21 days after the initial surgery (intravitreal gas injection group). Another nine eyes with a persistent MH without additional IVI C₃F₈ were included (non-intravitreal gas injection group).

Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) features including size and configuration of MH, and time duration between the 2 surgeries were compared between the MH closure and open groups. The closure rate of persistent MHs was compared between the intravitreal gas injection group and non-intravitreal gas injection group.

Results

Twelve of 19 eyes (63%) achieved MH closure after 1 to 3 times IVI C₃F₈. The final BCVA after vitrectomy and IVI gas was significantly better in the MH closure group (P = .005). Nine of 12 patients (75%) in the MH closure group had a visual acuity improvement of more than 2 lines. Original MHs with smaller minimal diameter, higher macular hole index (MHI) and higher tractional hole index (THI); and persistent MHs with smaller minimal diameter, higher THI, and lower diameter hole index (DHI) showed higher MH closure rate. None of the persistent MHs closed in the non-intravitreal gas injection group (0/9 eyes).

Conclusion

Early intravitreal injection of C₃F₈ can be a cost-effective first-line treatment for early persistent MHs after primary surgery, especially in eyes with favorable OCT features.

OUTCOME OF REVISION PROCEDURES FOR FAILED PRIMARY MACULAR HOLE SURGERY

PURPOSE

To analyze the outcomes of revision surgery for idiopathic full-thickness macular holes that have failed to close after primary surgery, and also to assess factors predicting success and to review the relative effect of adjunctive surgical techniques.

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective study. Anatomical closure rates and visual acuity change between pre and postrevision surgery were assessed. Hole size, age, symptom duration, surgical interval, and reduced hole size were analyzed as predictive factors for success. Effectiveness of adjunctive surgical techniques was reviewed.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven eyes were included in the study. Anatomical closure was achieved in 71% (55/77) cases. There was a median gain of 11 Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Score letters in all holes and 14 letters in closed holes. Full-thickness macular holes that increased in size by more than 10% following primary surgery had a closure rate of 50% compared with 80% in holes that reduced by 10% or stayed the same (P = 0.015). Increasing hole size is associated with a modest reduction in odds of closure (odds ratio = 0.99; P = 0.04). Surgical interval <2 months is not associated with better outcomes compared with >2 months (P = 0.14).

CONCLUSION

Revision surgery for full-thickness macular holes that have failed to close after primary surgery is associated with high closure rates and significant visual gains.

FIRST FAILED MACULAR HOLE SURGERY OR REOPENING OF A PREVIOUSLY CLOSED HOLE: Do We Gain by Reoperating?-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Repeated idiopathic full-thickness macular hole surgery after primary failure or reopening of a previously closed hole seems beneficial both in terms of anatomical closure and improvement in best-corrected visual acuity.

To evaluate repeated surgery for idiopathic full-thickness macular hole that failed to close (FTC) after first surgery or reopened (RO) once originally closed.

Delayed closure of macular hole secondary to Terson syndrome after vitrectomy: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Macular hole (MH) is a rare complication of Terson syndrome. Delayed closure of persistent MH after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is occasionally reported in literature, none of them is MH secondary to Terson syndrome. We describe a case of MH secondary to Terson syndrome and delayed closure occurred after PPV, and we also study the characteristics of delayed closure of persistent MH by reviewing related literatures.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 61-year-old man presented with vitreous hemorrhage in right eye following a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture of his right vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm. The visual acuity was hand motion in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. Fundus examination showed dense and diffuse vitreous hemorrhage in the right eye.

DIAGNOSES

Terson syndrome was diagnosed according to his subarachnoid hemorrhage history and vitreous hemorrhages in right eye.

INTERVENTIONS

PPV combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation was performed in his right eye, and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling was also performed due to a MH noted during the surgery.

OUTCOMES

One week after PPV, optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed a persistent MH. Without any intervention, the MH became smaller and flattened, with the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved to 30/200 at 1 month after surgery. Six months later, the MH completely closed with BCVA improved to 20/40. According to our literature review, there are 8 cases of the delayed MH closure, which includes idiopathic MH (4 eyes), traumatic MH (2 eyes), and vitreomacular traction (2 eyes). There is no report about delayed closure of MH secondary to Terson syndrome. The times for these delayed closure occurred following PPV were ranged from 1 to 28 months. Holes even with obviously raised edges after PPV may spontaneously close, just like the case presented here.

LESSONS

Delayed closure of persistent MH after PPV is rarely reported. The significance of this case is to suggest that similar patients should be monitored carefully by OCT, and additional surgery for the MH may be delayed, since delayed closure is possible. The exact mechanisms of delayed closure of persistent MH still need to be clarified.