INVERTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP TECHNIQUE VERSUS COMPLETE INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE REMOVAL IN MYOPIC MACULAR HOLE SURGERY: A Comparative Study.

PURPOSE

To compare the results of vitrectomy with complete internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal and inverted ILM flap in the treatment of myopic macular hole (MMH).

METHODS

Seventy eyes of 68 patients with MMH undergone pars-plana vitrectomy (PPV) with either complete ILM removal (n = 36, Group 1) or inverted ILM flap technique (n = 34, Group 2) were included in the study. Outcomes measured were the rate of MMH closure assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual acuity (BCVA) at six months.

RESULTS

Closure of MMH was achieved in 22 cases of Group 1 (61%) and in 32 cases of Group 2 (94%). Surgical failure was reported in 14 cases of Group 1 (39%) and in one case of Group 2 (3%). Average best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) changed from 0.60 to 0.58 in Group 1 (P = 0.329) and from 0.70 to 0.39 in Group 2 (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that inverted ILM flap technique was associated with 22 times higher probability of anatomic success, regardless of the MMH diameter.

CONCLUSION

Inverted ILM flap should be preferred to complete ILM removal for the treatment of MMH. The outcomes reported with this technique were better than any other technique described until now.