Human amniotic membrane plug to promote failed macular hole closure

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Retinal Surgery

Background:

• Failed macular holes are full-thickness retinal defects unresponsive to surgery.
• Current treatments lack guaranteed anatomical success and visual recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of human amniotic membrane plug transplantation for failed macular holes.
• To assess anatomical and visual recovery following this surgical intervention.

Main Methods:

• Surgical transplantation of a human amniotic membrane plug in 36 patients.
• Postoperative follow-up with ophthalmological examination and multimodal imaging (SD-OCT, OCT-A, Adaptive Optics).
• Microperimetry to assess macular sensitivity.

Main Results:

• Achieved 100% anatomical closure of macular holes at 3 months.
• Statistically significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months.
• Demonstrated partial recovery of macular sensitivity, tissue ingrowth, and photoreceptor presence.

Conclusions:

• Human amniotic membrane plug transplantation is effective for failed macular holes.
• The technique offers significant anatomical and functional recovery.
• Provides insights into retinal modifications induced by amniotic membrane grafts.