[Lamellar macular hole and continuous vitreofoveal adherence].

PURPOSE

To demonstrate a sub-type of idiopathic inner lamellar macular hole (ILH) that may merit surgical consideration.

METHODS

The study was conducted on patients examined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) between August 2001 and December 2003 and included 22 patients each with ILH in one eye. Eyes with persistent vitreofoveal adherence at the ILH site were included in the study. Eyes that had previously undergone posterior vitrectomy and removal of the posterior hyaloid were excluded.

RESULTS

Out of the 22 cases, persistent vitreous adherence to the edge of the ILH was detected in 3 eyes (3 patients; 13.6%). The ILH occurred spontaneously in 2 eyes and was detected after extraction of an intraocular foreign body in one eye. The vitreous adherence at the ILH, related to the incompletely detached posterior hyaloid in each, was asymmetric: in 2 eyes it was detached only nasal to the ILHs; in the third eye the posterior hyaloid was detached for 360 degrees around the adherence site, but appeared much thicker at a specific site than elsewhere.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that persistent vitreofoveal adherence might be present in eyes with ILH. Further studies should signify whether such ILHs have a potential of progression, cases in which surgical intervention should be considered.