Lamellar Macular Holes Associated with End-Stage Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Reports of lamellar macular holes (LMHs) with underlying age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are rare, and the specific definition, pathogenesis and surgical recommendations for this macular condition remain unclear.

To present a series of LMHs in eyes with underlying end-stage AMD, and describe optical coherence tomography (OCT) detection of associated morphologic abnormalities.

We reviewed the files of consecutive patients diagnosed with LMH and underlying end-stage AMD between September 2007 and September 2011.

Sixteen eyes of 14 patients were included in this study. The average follow-up after the OCT-established diagnosis of LMH was 19.8 months (range 4-48). The average visual acuity (VA) at last follow-up visit was 20/400 (20/60-20/1200). The best-corrected VA was stable in 10 eyes (62.5%) and deteriorated in 6 (37.5%). There was a statistically significant correlation between VA and minimal foveal thickness (r = -0.598, P = 0.014).

In this series of LMHs with underlying AMD the OCT findings were intraretinal fluid, cystic spaces and window defect.