Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Retinal Pigment Epithelium Transplantation in a Non-human Primate Model for Degenerative Retinal Diseases
Published on: June 14, 2021
Vitrectomy for stage 1 macular holes identified by optical coherence tomography
Manju L Subramanian1, Steven N Truong, Adam H Rogers
1New England Eye Center/Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Background And Objective:
To describe a series of patients with decreased vision secondary to stage 1 macular hole confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) that failed to spontaneously resolve with observation. To determine whether current surgical techniques can prevent progression to a full-thickness macular hole and lead to improved visual acuity.
Patients And Methods:
Retrospective, comparative case series presenting patient demographics, duration of symptoms, timing of surgery, preoperative and postoperative vision, and clinical outcome based on examination and OCT.
Results:
Five eyes of five patients with stage 1 macular holes identified on OCT required surgical repair. All eyes showed anatomic closure and lack of progression to a full-thickness hole confirmed by OCT after one procedure. Mean preoperative visual acuity was 20/102 (range, 20/50 to 20/200) and mean postoperative visual acuity was 20/52 (range, 20/25 to 20/200). Average improvement for all five eyes was 3 Snellen lines, with four of the five (80%) improving 5 lines each.
Conclusion:
In symptomatic eyes with stage 1 macular holes that fail to spontaneously resolve with observation, vitrectomy with intraocular gas tamponade may prevent progression to a full-thickness hole and lead to improved visual acuity.
