OCT study of fellow eyes of macular holes

The aim of this study was to examine the vitreomacular interface in symptom-free fellow eyes of macular holes using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to add information to the pathogenesis of macular holes and to refine prognostic factors for bilateral involvement. Sixty-six patients with a full thickness macular hole in one eye and a symptom-free fellow eye were included in the study between 01/98-05/99. The finding on OCT that a perifoveal vitreous detachment can result in a foveal cyst and subsequently a macular hole confirms the theory of Gass of vitreous traction. Symptom-free fellow eyes with a foveal cyst on OCT represent an elevated risk (55%) for macular hole development. Vitreofoveal separation is probably a good prognostic sign.