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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Regenerative Therapy by Suprachoroidal Cell Autograft in Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration: Preliminary In Vivo Report
Published on: February 12, 2018
[Long-term functional results after macular hole surgery. Results of a prospective study]
I W Reiniger1, C A Gass, M Schaumberger
1Augenklinik der Universität, Klinikum Innenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Mathildenstrasse 8, 80336 Munich. christos.haritoglou@med.uni-muenchen.de
Purpose:
This study reports on the long-term results of macular hole surgery with peeling of the ILM.
Methods:
A total of 88 consecutive patients (71 female, 17 male, mean age 67 years) were prospectively evaluated. All patients underwent a standard pars plana vitrectomy with removal of the ILM and an intraocular gas tamponade. Preoperatively, as well as on each follow-up visit, a clinical examination including measurement of best corrected visual acuity, Goldman perimetry, and OCT was performed.
Results:
The mean postoperative follow-up was 49 months; 83 (94%) patients were pseudophakic at the last examination. Anatomic closure was achieved in 84 (95%) patients. No late reopening of the macular hole was observed. Best corrected visual acuity improved in 82 patients (93%), remained unchanged in 2, and deteriorated in 4 patients. Best corrected visual acuity improved from a median of 0.2 preoperatively to a median of 0.6 postoperatively (p<0.001). Duration of symptoms as well as low preoperative visual acuity had no significant impact on anatomic and functional success.
Conclusions:
Macular hole surgery leads to good functional and anatomical results, even in the long term. A long history of visual impairment and low visual acuity before surgery are not contraindications to surgical intervention.
