Understanding macular holes that develop after repair of retinal detachment

To present the characteristics and outcomes of macular holes (MHs) that arise in eyes that have been treated for retinal detachment (RD).

Retrospective, interventional, consecutive case series.

We studied 18 eyes that developed a MH following RD repair.

We report the demographic and clinical characteristics, MH closure rates, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) following MH repair.

We detected 18 full-thickness MHs in 985 eyes. In 14 of 18, the original RD involved the macula, and in 16 of 18, the BCVA was 20/200 or worse. Of the RDs, 8 of 18 required multiple procedures to achieve reattachment. Post-RD BCVA was 20/200 or worse in 15 of 18 patients. The median time to MH diagnosis after RD repair was 1 month (range, 2 days to 53 months), and from MH diagnosis to MH repair, the median time was 1.75 months (range, 3 weeks to 8 months). Of 16 eyes (89%) that underwent surgical repair of the MH, 14 achieved MH closure, 1 requiring multiple pars plana vitrectomy, and 11 saw at least 1 Snellen line of improvement (median, 1; range, 1 to 6); 2 lost vision (1 and 2 Snellen lines, respectively); and 3 remained unchanged at a median follow-up of 3 months (range, 1 month to 25 months). Of the 18 patients, 6 had at least 20/80 BCVA at last follow-up.

MHs following RDs (incidence 1.9%) are likely to be macula-off RDs requiring multiple interventions for RD repair. Post-MH-repair closure rates are similar to the rates for idiopathic MHs. BCVA outcomes are moderate and are dependent on impairment post-RD repair. The findings suggest other pathogenic mechanisms besides vitreofoveal traction may be leading to these MHs.