Foveal microvascular features following inverted flap technique for closure of large macular holes

To describe the anatomical and functional outcomes following use of the inverted flap technique (IFT) to close idiopathic macular holes (MH) of diameter greater than 400 μm. To compare the changes in the macular microvascularization following surgery in operated and healthy fellow eyes.

Retrospective study of 24 patients who underwent vitrectomy and IFT for large MH closure. The main variables were closure pattern, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and recovery of the external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ). Foveal avascular zones (FAZ) and vessel and perfusion densities, obtained by OCT angiography scans, were compared with those in healthy fellow eyes.

Complete MH closure was achieved in 95.8% (23/24) of patients 6 months after surgery. There was a significant improvement in postoperative BCVA, from 1.0 to 0.4 logMAR (p < 0.001). The most frequent closure pattern was 1a (62.5%, 15/24), followed by 2c (12.5%, 3/24). The closure pattern was not correlated with height, minimum or maximum diameters or macular hole index (MHI) (p > 0.05). ELM and EZ recovery occurred in 87.5% and 83.3% of cases, respectively. FAZ were smaller in operated eyes than in the fellow eyes (p = 0.012). There were no differences in the vessel or perfusion densities between the operated and fellow eyes (p > 0.05).

Use of the inverted flap technique for large MH closure provides a high rate of functional and anatomical recovery. We observed a reduction in the FAZ following surgery, with no differences in the macular microvascularization parameters, suggesting that the technique is safe.