LAMELLAR HOLE-ASSOCIATED EPIRETINAL PROLIFERATION IN LAMELLAR MACULAR HOLE AND FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLE IN HIGH MYOPIA

To report findings and surgical outcomes of lamellar macular hole (LMH) or full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) accompanied by lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP) in eyes with high myopia (HM).

Consecutive cases of HM with LMH or FTMH containing LHEP were retrospectively reviewed (study group, 43 cases). Cases of HM without LHEP (22) and those of non-HM with LHEP (30) served as Control A and B.

The study group showed larger (928.7 ± 381.9 μm) and deeper (remained base thickness: 79.7 ± 23.7 μm) LMH retinal defect than that in Control A (466.2 ± 179.1 and 99.9 ± 24.9) and B (647.1 ± 346.7 and 99.1 ± 38.1). Lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation in the study group had a higher rate of wide extension (42.3%) and growing along the posterior hyaloid (PH, 53.8%). Patients with LMH who underwent surgery in the study group and Control A showed limited best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement (0-1 and 1-2 ETDRS lines, respectively), while Control B had significant improvement (4-5 lines). For full-thickness macular holes, the study group was the youngest (50.0 ± 11.4) and LHEP was more likely to grow on the posterior hyaloid (23.5%); the postoperative best corrected visual acuity, however, was similar to that in Control A (20/63-20/80).

Lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation in HM tended to be more widespread and adherent to the posterior hyaloid than in eyes without HM. Visual outcomes after LMH repair in eyes with LHEP and HM are less favorable than eyes with LHEP and without HM, but similar to eyes with HM and without LHEP.