Surgical Outcomes of Macular Telangiectasia Type 2 Associated with Macular Hole

Internal limiting membrane graft in full-thickness macular hole secondary to macular telangiectasia type 2

We present a case report of an autologous internal limiting membrane (ILM) graft transposition technique in a 60-years-old female patient who with a full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) secondary to idiopathic macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel type 2). To our knowledge, our case is the first report of ILM graft transposition to treat persistent FTMH secondary to MacTel type 2. MacTel type 2 is an acquired disease characterized by macular capillary abnormalities and retinal neurodegeneration. FTMH is an infrequent complication of MacTel type 2. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with ILM peeling and gas endotamponade is the standard treatment of FTMH to help restore macular anatomy and visual function. The technique of autologous ILM graft transposition is a useful alternative to repair large, persistent macular holes that have failed to close with previous ILM peeling. In the present case, our patient with persistent FTMH secondary to MacTel type 2 after the previous standard macular hole surgery was admitted to our clinic. We performed 23-gauge PPV with extramacular ILM peeling and ILM graft transposition into the macular hole. 2 months after the surgery, her visual acuity had improved and anatomic closure of the FTMH was observed. In our opinion, ILM grafting might support reorganization of the retinal structure that has been affected by Muller cell degeneration.

Surgical Outcomes in Macular Telangiectasia Type 2-Related Macular Holes: A Report on Four Patients

Introduction

The few published studies that exist on the surgical outcomes of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) repair in Macular Telangiectasia (MacTel) Type 2 report poor rates of hole closure of around 30%. This study is the largest case series of patients with FTMH in MacTel Type 2 and describes an 80% hole closure rate.

Purpose

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Aim

To describe the outcomes of four patients who underwent surgery for FTMH associated with MacTel Type 2.

Methods

A retrospective review of clinical, surgical, and imaging data of five eyes in four patients with MacTel Type 2 FTMH who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and 30% SF₆ or 15% C₃F₈ gas tamponade within 3-9 months of initial vision decline.

Results

Visual acuity (VA) at the time of surgery ranged from 20/50 to 20/200. Successful hole closure was achieved in four out of five eyes, and final VA ranged from 20/20 to 20/40 at follow-up visits greater than 20 months postoperatively. The single eye that did not achieve hole closure had a final VA of 20/60.

Conclusion

Our case series describes higher hole closure rates and better final VA than previously published reports for macular hole surgery in patients with MacTel Type 2 FTMH.