Modified inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique for macular hole closure.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Surgical Techniques

Background:

• Macular holes are a common cause of vision loss.
• The internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique is a surgical approach for macular hole repair.
• Modifications to the ILM flap technique aim to improve surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a modified inverted ILM flap technique combined with vitreous surgery for idiopathic macular holes.
• To assess the impact of this technique on visual function and anatomical closure of macular holes.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective observational study included 96 participants (98 eyes) with idiopathic macular holes treated between July 2015 and October 2019.
• The modified technique involved removing the lower half of the ILM while inverting the upper half.
• Data on macular hole diameter, corrected visual acuity, and closure rates were analyzed at 6 months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• The mean macular hole diameter was 623.6 ± 207.4 μm.
• Corrected visual acuity improved significantly from 0.79 pre-surgery to 0.31 at 6 months post-surgery (p < 0.05).
• The macular hole closure rate was 98%.

Conclusions:

• The modified inverted ILM flap technique combined with vitreous surgery is an effective treatment for macular holes.
• This technique leads to significant improvements in both anatomical closure and visual acuity.
• The study supports the use of this modified approach in clinical practice for macular hole repair.