Natural history of lamellar macular holes in highly myopic eyes.

PURPOSE

To determine the natural course of lamellar macular holes (MHs) in highly myopic eyes.

DESIGN

Prospective and observational case series.

METHODS

Twenty-four eyes of 21 consecutive patients with a lamellar MH and high myopia (myopic refractive error >8 diopters or axial length ≥26.5 mm) were followed for ≥12 months. The changes of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings and the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were analyzed. The progression of the lamellar MH to a full-thickness MH and the change of the BCVA were analyzed.

RESULTS

At the initial examination, an epiretinal membrane was identified by OCT in 17 of the 24 eyes (70.8%) and 7 eyes (29.2%) had macular retinoschisis. Twenty-three of 24 eyes (95.8%) did not show any changes of the lamellar MH in the OCT images during a mean follow-up of 19.2 ± 10.2 months. However, the remaining eye progressed to a full-thickness MH and pars plana vitrectomy was required to close the MH. Except for this 1 eye, the BCVA was maintained (within 0.2 logMAR change) during the follow-up period of at least 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

A lamellar MH in highly myopic eyes is a relatively stable condition.