Microperimetric Biofeedback Training Improved Visual Acuity after Successful Macular Hole Surgery

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Visual Rehabilitation

Background:

• Idiopathic macular holes (MH) can lead to insufficient recovery of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) even after successful surgical closure.
• Patients with suboptimal visual outcomes post-MH surgery require effective rehabilitation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of preferred retinal locus relocation target (PRT) setting and Macular Integrity Assessment (MAIA) biofeedback training.
• To improve visual function in patients with persistent low BCVA after MH repair.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective interventional case series of 9 patients with BCVA < 0.6 post-MH surgery.
• Utilized MAIA microperimetry to set a PRT and conducted MAIA biofeedback training.
• Assessed BCVA, reading speed, fixation stability, and bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA) before and after training.

Main Results:

• All patients showed improved BCVA after MAIA training, with a significant mean logMAR improvement from 0.33 to 0.12 (p=0.007).
• Improvements in reading speed, fixation stability, and BCEA were observed but not statistically significant.
• PRT was successfully established on the nasal side of the fovea in 8 out of 9 patients.

Conclusions:

• MAIA biofeedback training is an effective intervention for enhancing visual acuity in patients with suboptimal recovery post-macular hole surgery.
• This visual training approach shows promise for improving visual function and rehabilitation in challenging cases.