Swept-Source OCT Visualization of Macular Hole Closure in Gas-Filled Eyes

To assess the utility of swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) in visualizing macular hole (MH) closure through gas-filled eyes on postoperative day (POD) 1 using a dual scanning protocol.

We examined 30 consecutive patients with full-thickness MH who underwent standard vitrectomy with SF6 (25%) gas tamponade between July 2015 and April 2016. SS-OCT imaging was performed using horizontal raster and 16-line radial scans with manual delicate focusing to evaluate MH closure status.

On POD1, optically clear images with visualization of all retinal layers at the fovea were obtained in 80% of eyes, of which 71% achieved complete MH closure. Reasons for unsuccessful imaging included: hyphema (two eyes), dense cataract (two eyes), and gas meniscus interference (two eyes).

SS-OCT with dual scanning protocol and manual delicate focusing enabled consistent early visualization of foveal architecture for assessment of MH closure through gas-filled eyes. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:392-398.].