Macular pseudoholes. Clinical features and accuracy of diagnosis

Epimacular membrane with pseudohole is an important vitreomacular disorder that belongs in the differential diagnosis of impending and established macular hole. To better characterize this lesion, the authors attempted to identify various features of eyes with epimacular membrane and pseudohole.

Demographic, clinical, photographic, and fluorescein angiographic data for 14 eyes with epimacular membrane and pseudohole were reviewed. Horizontal and vertical diameters of the pseudoholes were measured, and the original diagnosis was recorded for each eye. Fluorescein angiography was performed in 11 eyes.

The mean age of patients with macular pseudoholes was 61.6 years, and median visual acuity for pseudohole eyes was 20/30. Mean horizontal and vertical diameters of the pseudoholes were 384 and 410 microns, respectively. None of the eyes with pseudoholes had the characteristic ophthalmoscopic features associated with full-thickness macular holes or impending macular holes. Results of fluorescein angiography showed three eyes with increased tortuosity or abnormal straightening of the perifoveal vessels; three eyes with a foveal window defect; and three eyes with late leakage from the perifoveal vessels. The original diagnosis of the initial examining physician was correct in only 43% of eyes with epimacular membrane and pseudohole.

Epimacular membrane with pseudohole may be an underdiagnosed lesion and commonly mistaken for impending macular hole, full-thickness hole, or lamellar hole. These data may be of use as more patients are being considered for recently advocated surgical treatments for impending and established macular hole.