Anatomical Outcome Following Indocyanine Green Assisted Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Stage 3 and 4 Macular...

To evaluate the anatomical success of stage 3 and 4 macular hole surgery after removal of internal limiting membrane (ILM) with the help of Indocyanine green (ICG).

An experimental study.

LRBTTertiary Care Eye Hospital, Karachi, October 2015 to August 2016.

Twenty patients with stage 3 and 4 macular hole (confirmed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography) underwent standard 3 ports pars plana vitrectomy. Staining of ILM was performed with the help of 0.5% ICG to aid in visualization. ILM was removed by using intraocular forceps in circular fashion. Finally, gas fluid exchange with internal tamponade of SF6 20% was performed. Postoperative face down posture was maintained for seven days. Patients were followed-up for 8 months and assessment of macular hole closure was done using SD-OCT.

After a follow-up of 8 months, macular hole was closed in 17 eyes (85%) and vision had improved in 6 patients. Postoperative complications included cataract, hyphema and vitreous hemorrhage.

Surgery for stage 3 and 4 macular hole with ILM peeling has high anatomical success rate. Final visual acuity is dependent on preoperative macular hole stage and visual acuity at presentation.