Functional and morphological outcomes after surgery in lamellar macular holes versus epiretinal membrane foveoschisis.

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical findings and outcomes of vitrectomy for lamellar macular holes (LMH) versus epiretinal membrane foveoschisis (ERMF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 36 eyes of 35 patients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) parameters and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULTS

The 19 (52.8%) ERMF and 17 (47.2%) LMH were included. Preoperatively, eyes with LMH were characterized by a lower central foveal thickness (CFT) (102.18 ± 31.44 µm vs 159.37 ± 25.25 µm,  < 0.001) and a greater incidence of outer retinal disruption ( < 0.001). Primary anatomical success was achieved in 34/36 eyes (94.4%). Preoperative BCVA was better in ERMF (0.16 - IQR 0.09 - logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution (LogMAR) - 20/28 Snellen) than LMH (0.40 - IQR 0.30 - LogMAR, 20/50 Snellen) ( = 0.008). At 6 months after surgery, BCVA significantly improved in the ERMF group ( < 0.001), but showed insignificant change in LMH ( = 0.125). Two cases, both in the LMH group, developed full thickness macular hole after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Eyes with LMH showed visual stabilization after surgery, whereas the eyes in the ERMF group were susceptible to functional improvement. These differences in BCVA outcomes may be the consequence of a higher damage in the outer retina in the LMH group; an accurate SD-OCT examination is a fundamental step when deciding to proceed or not to the surgery.