Surgical treatment of lamellar macular holes

The aim of this study is to present functional and anatomical results of pars plana vitrectomy without gas tamponade in lamellar macular holes. Additionally, the study determines factors influencing final outcome.

Twenty-six eyes of 26 patients with lamellar macular hole were diagnosed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). The diameters of the lamellar defects were measured. Pars plana vitrectomy with epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling without endotamponade followed. Follow-up examinations were conducted with SD-OCT for a period of 12 months after surgery. The following factors were examined: maximum and minimum diameter of the lamellar defect, maximum diameter of the disruption of the photoreceptors, representing the photoreceptor layer, central macular thickness, paracentral macular thickness 1000 microm from the centre of the fovea, and maximum paracentral retinal thickness. Retina thickness was measured manually from the inner retina surface to the upper line of retinal pigment epithelium.

Prior to surgery, mean visual acuity was 0.2. Twelve months after surgery, the mean visual acuity was 0.51. Lower visual acuity was observed in patients with photoreceptor layer defects localized under the fovea. Epiretinal membranes and complete or partial posterior hyaloid detachment were observed in all cases. The size of the lamellar defect had no influence on final visual acuity.

The results obtained show that intraocular gas tamponade is not a crucial step in achieving closure and visual improvement in lamellar macular holes.