INVERTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP TECHNIQUE FOR MACULAR HOLES IN HIGH MYOPIA WITH AXIAL LENGTH ≥30 mm.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the closure rate of macular holes in highly myopic eyes treated with the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique.

METHODS

Retrospective study in 33 consecutive patients (33 eyes) with a myopic macular hole (axial length ≥30 mm) and no associated macular retinoschisis, undergoing 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy combined with the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique.

RESULTS

Mean initial logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity was 0.59 (range, 0.22-1.8) (Snellen fraction, 20/80). At the 1-month postoperative control visit, the macular hole was closed in all patients. Reopening of the hole occurred in 2 patients. Visual acuity improved in 13 patients (39.4%): final mean ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) improvement was +80 letters, and logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution was 0.4 (20/50). Staphyloma with macular involvement was present in all patients. Dissociated optic nerve fiber layer was observed in 25 patients (75.7%) and was absent in 2 (6.1%); in the remaining 6 patients, the layer could not be assessed. Gliosis was found in 14 patients (42.4%).

CONCLUSION

Vitrectomy plus the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique was effective for treating macular holes in eyes with axial length ≥30 mm and no associated retinoschisis.