Long-term anatomical and functional outcomes of idiopathic macular hole surgery. The yield of spectral-domain OCT combined with microperimetry.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the correlations between anatomical and functional changes studied with microperimetry (MPM) and spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) in patients after successful repair of idiopathic macular hole (MH).

METHODS

Monocentric, retrospective, interventional study in 23 eyes of 23 patients who underwent successful surgery for MH defined as closure of the hole, at least 1 year before. Reported data were pre- and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), retinal sensitivity values on MPM, macular and foveal thicknesses, and retinal anatomic lesions on SD-OCT.

RESULTS

Macular sensitivity (MS) and foveal sensitivity (FS) were lower and the number of lesions of the outer retinal layers was higher in patients with a poorer postoperative VA (P = 0.029, P = 0.011 and P = 0.003 respectively). Preoperative MH size was lower and MS and FS were better in patients with a preserved junction line between the inner and outer segments of photoreceptors (IS/OS) (P = 0.045, P = 0.001, and P = 0.001 respectively). Better postoperative VA was correlated with better preoperative VA (P = 0.012, r = 0.513). Postoperative VA was correlated with MS and FS (P = 0.032, r = 0.449, and P = 0.019, r = 0.483 respectively). Greater foveal thickness was associated with better postoperative VA (P = 0.020, r = 0.482).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative outer retinal layer integrity is associated with better final retinal sensitivity. Further studies are warranted to assess the role of SD-OCT and microperimetry in the pre- and postoperative evaluation of idiopathic macular holes.