B-scan ultrasonographic findings in the stages of idiopathic macular hole.

PURPOSE

To prospectively evaluate the relationship between the posterior hyaloid membrane (PHM) and the retina in eyes with idiopathic macular hole.

METHODS

Ninety-four eyes of 94 consecutive patients with macular hole underwent complete ophthalmologic examination, contact lens biomicroscopy, and B-scan ultrasonography and/or vitreoretinal surgery.

RESULTS

In 93 of 94 patients (99%), the relationship between the PHM and posterior retina could be visualized during echographic examinations or at surgery. Among these 93 patients, the PHM was detectable biomicroscopically in 36 (39%). Persistent PHM attachment to the foveola with partial separation of the PHM from the perifoveal retina was evident with ultrasonography in 5 of 6 patients (83%) with stage 1 hole and in 12 of 18 patients (67%) with stage 2 hole. When axial views were included, separation of the PHM from the perifoveal retina was evident in 13 of 13 patients (100%) with stage 1 and stage 2 hole. Separation of the PHM from the fovea and perifoveal retina with attachment to the peripapillary retina was evident with ultrasonography in 65 of 65 patients (100%) with stage 3 macular hole and pseudo-operculum and was evident biomicroscopically in 22 of the 65 patients (34%) in this group.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that high-resolution axial and paraxial ultrasonographic examination directly on the surface of the eye is more sensitive in detecting separation of the PHM from the retina than biomicroscopy in idiopathic macular holes. The perifoveal detachment of the PHM may be involved in the pathogenesis of macular holes.