The Visual Outcomes of Macular Hole Surgery: A Registry-Based Study by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists

Internal limiting membrane peel size and macular hole surgery outcome: a systematic review and individual participant data study of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus regarding the optimal internal limiting membrane (ILM) peel size during vitrectomy for idiopathic full thickness macular holes (iFTMH).

METHODS

A systematic review was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing vitrectomy with ILM peeling of differing sizes in adults with iFTMH. Individual participant data was obtained including relevant baseline variables. The effect of different ILM peel sizes, divided into "small" (1-disc diameter [DD] in radius or less) and "large" (>1-DD in radius) were analysed on primary hole closure and postoperative visual acuity (VA) at 6 months. A subgroup analysis analysing for the effect of macular hole size on the same outcomes was also performed. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) was used to assess the certainty of evidence.

RESULTS

Five RCTs with 370 eyes were included. Primary closure was achieved in 74.7% in small peel group compared to 84.8% in large peel group (p = 0.016). Multilevel logistic regression showed that a peel radius of >1-DD probably improved hole closure slightly with odds ratio (OR) of 1.20 (95% CI: 1.11-1.31, p < 0.001) and a number needed to treat (NNT) to benefit of 31 (95% CI: 21-53). ILM peel size likely did not affect VA. The mean difference in postoperative VA was a -0.05 logMAR gain (2-3 ETDRS letters) (95% CI: -0.13 to 0.02, p = 0.155) in vision with a large ILM peel radius. The GRADE certainty of evidence was moderate for both outcomes. A significantly higher closure rate was found in the large peel group for iFTMH >400 microns with an OR of 1.24 (95% CI: 1.11-1.38, p < 0.001) and NNT to benefit of 21 (95% CI: 17-50), but not in holes <400 microns (OR 1.05 (95% CI: 0.93-1.18, p = 0.396)).

CONCLUSIONS

Performing ILM peel of more than 1-DD in radius likely improves closure rates for iFTMH although the effect size is relatively small. The effect is greater in holes >400 microns. ILM peel size probably has no significant effect on postoperative VA.

Vitrectomy in Small idiopathic MAcuLar hoLe (SMALL) study: Internal limiting membrane peeling versus no peeling

PURPOSE

To compare vitrectomy with and without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in small idiopathic macular holes.

METHODS

Retrospective multicentre study including consecutive eyes with ≤250 μm idiopathic macular hole treated with vitrectomy. The primary outcome was hole closure rate. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change, closure patterns on optical coherence tomography, rates of external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) recovery, and rate of complications were also investigated.

RESULTS

In total, 693 eyes were included. Hole closure rate was 98% in the peeling and 85% in the no-peeling group (p < 0.001). At 12 months, mean BCVA change was 0.38 ± 0.22 logMAR in the peeling and 0.45 ± 0.21 logMAR in the no-peeling group (p = 0.02); 66% versus 80% of eyes had a U-shaped morphology, respectively; EZ recovery rate was 75% and 93%, respectively (p = 0.02). In the no-peeling group, eyes with a vitreomacular traction (VMT) showed a 96% closure rate, comparable to the peeling group (p = 0.40). The incidence of adverse events was similar except for dissociated optic nerve fibre layer (55% in the peeling vs. 9% in the no-peeling group, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In small idiopathic macular holes, ILM peeling provides a higher closure rate compared to no-peeling; however, if a VMT is present closure rates are comparable. In closed macular holes, the no-peeling technique provides advantages in terms of visual outcome and anatomical recovery.

DELAYED CLOSURE OF A FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLE AFTER PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY WITH INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to describe a patient with delayed closure of a stage 3 full-thickness macular hole after pars plana vitrectomy.

METHODS

This is a retrospective case report. Details of the case were obtained from the electronic patient record system, Medisoft.

RESULTS

A 65-year-old man was referred with a left stage 3 full-thickness macular hole measuring 720 μ m and visual acuity of 6/36. He underwent phacovitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peel with an inverted internal limiting membrane flap, and C 3 F 8 gas tamponade. Seven weeks after surgery, the macular hole was smaller at 196 μ m but remained open. The patient was listed for repeat surgery; however, another 13 weeks later, the full-thickness macular hole demonstrated type 2 closure without further intervention.

CONCLUSION

Delayed macular hole closure after pars plana vitrectomy is rare. In cases where there has been a substantial decrease in the size of a full-thickness macular hole after surgery without full closure, a short period of observation to allow for further closure may be appropriate before reconsidering surgery.

PEDICLE TRANSPOSITION FLAP, INVERTED FLAP, FREE FLAP, AND STANDARD PEEL FOR LARGE FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLES: A Comparative Study

PURPOSE

To compare anatomical and functional outcomes of four different techniques for the treatment of large idiopathic full-thickness macular holes.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study included 129 eyes of 126 patients with large (>500 µ m) full-thickness macular holes who presented between January 2018 and October 2022. All patients underwent 23/25 G vitrectomy and gas with standard internal limiting membrane (ILM) peel, pedicle transposition, inverted, or free flap technique. Postoperative optical coherence tomography images were assessed by two independent masked graders.

RESULTS

Mean age was 73.2 years (SD 8.4) with a median F/U of 5 months (IQR 8). The overall anatomical success rate was 81%; it was significantly lower (59%) for the standard ILM peel ( P < 0.0001). The pedicle transposition flap showed superior visual recovery compared with the free flap (+27 vs. +12 ETDRS letters, P = 0.02). At 3 months, restoration of the external limiting membrane was significantly better for the pedicle transposition flap compared with free flap and standard ILM peel ( P = 0.008 and P = 0.03) and superior to all the other techniques at 6 months ( P = 0.02, P = 0.04, and P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Standard ILM peel alone offers inferior outcomes for the management of large full-thickness macular holes. Of the alternative ILM techniques, despite similar closure rates, foveal microstructural recovery is most complete following the pedicle transposition flap and least complete following the free flap.

Macular Hole Surgery as a Historical Perspective

Purpose

To evaluate the outcomes of macular hole (MH) surgery as a historical perspective after its inception in 1991.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective review of 1032 eyes of 949 patients with an idiopathic MH who were followed for at least one year after the initial surgery. All surgeries were performed from 1990 to 2016 by one surgeon (NO) and included phacovitrectomy for patients of ≥40-years-of-age, a removal of the posterior hyaloid and epiretinal membrane, and SF6 gas tamponade with a 1-week face-down. After 1998, internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling became the conventional procedure. All surgeries were classified into four periods based on the year of the initial surgery. The first period was 1990~1995 (n = 222), the second period was 1996~1999 (n=327), the third period was 2000~2004 (n = 234), and the last period was 2005~2016 (n=249).

Results

The mean follow-up period was 81.3, 79.8, 88.4, and 77.3 months; hole size was 0.33, 0.28, 0.25, and 0.24 disk diameter; hole duration was 15.1, 10.6, 8.2, and 6.1 months; the decimal visual acuity (VA) was 0.13, 0.15, 0.17, and 0.19. The initial closure rate was 61.3, 78.0, 96.6, and 96.4%. The final decimal visual acuity was 0.33, 0.50, 0.66, and 0.79. The rate of a final decimal VA of 0.5 or better was 48.2, 66.4, 82.1, and 88.8%. The rate of a final decimal visual acuity of 1.0 or more was 17.6, 29.3, 43.6, and 58.2%. Multiple regression analyses showed that hole duration and ILM peeling were significantly associated with both the anatomic and functional outcomes.

Conclusion

The favorable outcomes of MH surgery was primarily achieved by earlier surgery and conventional ILM peeling. Favorable results might be obtained using only conventional ILM peeling.

MANAGEMENT OF LARGE FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLES: Long-Term Outcomes of Internal Limiting Membrane Flaps and Internal Limiting Membrane Peels

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To determine and compare the efficacy of a surgical internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique with the traditional ILM peel on long-term visual and anatomical outcomes for large (>400 µm) full-thickness macular holes.

METHODS

From October 2016 to July 2022, patients undergoing initial full-thickness macular hole repair with the ILM flap or ILM peel technique were reviewed. Final outcomes were recorded and based on size in microns: 401 to 800, 801 to 1,200, and >1,200.

RESULTS

Patients treated with ILM flap (n = 52, 94.2% closure rate) or ILM peel (n = 407, 93.6% closure rate) were followed with a mean follow-up time of 15.0 ± 10.2 and 20.0 ± 13.4 months, respectively. Success rates for ILM flaps and ILM peels were compared for full-thickness macular holes of 401 to 800 (100%, 95.8%, P = 0.39), 801 to 1,200 (95%, 93%, P = 0.74), and >1,200 (86.7%, 86.7%, P = 1.0) µm. Mean best-recorded logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution visual acuity for ILM flaps and ILM peels, respectively, was 1.02 ± 0.46 and 0.87 ± 0.47 preoperatively, with follow-up acuity of 0.48 ± 0.32 (P < 0.03) and 0.39 ± 0.42 (P < 0.01) at Year 3.

CONCLUSION

Both techniques provide a similar anatomical closure rate and functional improvement in vision. Comparisons should be cautiously made based on difference in preoperative hole size.

[Vitreomacular traction: diagnostics, natural course, treatment decision and guideline recommendations]

Vitreomacular traction is a tractive foveolar adhesion of the posterior vitreous limiting membrane, resulting in pathological structural alterations of the vitreomacular interface. This must be differentiated from physiological vitreomacular adhesion, which exhibits a completely preserved foveolar depression. Symptoms depend on the severity of the macular changes and typically include reduced visual acuity, reading problems and metamorphopsia. High-resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) imaging enables classification of the sometimes only subtle morphological changes. If pronounced vitreomacular traction is accompanied by epiretinal gliosis and alterations to the outer retina, it is referred to as a vitreomacular traction syndrome. Vitreomacular traction has a high probability of spontaneous resolution within 12 months. Therefore, treatment should only be carried out in cases of undue suffering of the patient and with symptoms during bilateral vision and a lack of spontaneous resolution. In addition to pars plana vitrectomy, alternative treatment options, such as intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin and pneumatic vitreolysis are discussed for vitreomacular traction with an associated macular hole; however, ocriplasmin is no longer available in Germany. The best anatomical results in comparative investigations were achieved by vitrectomy. Pneumatic vitreolysis is controversially discussed due to the increased risk of retinal tears. In one of the current S1 guidelines of the German ophthalmological societies evidence-based recommendations for the diagnostics and treatment of vitreomacular traction are summarized.

Surgery for idiopathic full-thickness macular holes within four months of symptom onset yields superior visual outcomes: Results from an Irish patient cohort

PURPOSE

To describe the anatomical, visual, and safety results of full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) repair surgery and determine factors influencing outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent primary FTMH repair surgery by a single surgeon over a 3-year period. For comparisons, Snellen visual acuity (VA) was converted to logMAR equivalent. Anatomical hole closure, visual improvement, and final VA of ≤ 0.30 logMAR were the primary outcome measures.

RESULTS

Twenty eyes of 19 patients were included. Mean patient age was 69 years (range 55 to 80 years) and 74% were female. Mean minimum linear diameter (MLD) was 440 μm (range 170 μm to 1200 μm). Mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 16 weeks (range 3 to 39 weeks). 100% of eyes achieved successful anatomical FTMH closure. Mean VA improved from 1.03 ± 0.43 logMAR (Snellen 6/60) preoperatively to 0.35 ± 0.22 logMAR (Snellen 6/15) postoperatively (p = 0.0001). Patients with worse preoperative VA gained more vision than those with better preoperative VA (p = 0.01). Eyes operated on within 4 months of symptom onset were more than twice as likely to achieve a postoperative VA of ≤ 0.30 logMAR (Snellen 6/12 or better) compared to eyes with a longer duration of symptoms (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

FTMH repair surgery was safe and effective, with outcomes comparing favourably with published international studies. All patients benefited from surgery regardless of symptom duration, presenting VA or FTMH size. However, surgery performed within 4 months of symptom-onset was particularly beneficial, highlighting the need for prompt referral and surgery.

[Macular hole: Differential diagnosis, treatment options and new guideline recommendations]

Full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) usually result in a pronounced reduction of visual acuity and represent one of the most frequent indications for retinal surgery. If diagnosed and treatment is initiated at an early stage, surgery has a high success rate with respect to both hole closure and improvement of visual acuity. Optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based staging and sizing enables an estimation of the surgical outcome. The differential diagnostic distinction from clinically similar disorders, such as lamellar macular holes, macular pseudoholes, and foveoschisis is clinically relevant as the pathogenesis, prognosis and treatment are significantly different. While vitrectomy with peeling of the inner limiting membrane (ILM) and gas tamponade is established as the standard treatment for FTMH, some aspects of treatment are handled differently between surgeons, such as the timing of surgery, the choice of endotamponade and the type and duration of postoperative positioning. For FTMH associated with vitreomacular traction, alternative treatment options in addition to vitrectomy include intravitreal ocriplasmin injection and pneumatic vitreolysis. The current clinical guidelines of the German ophthalmological societies summarize the evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of FTMH.

Face-down positioning or posturing after macular hole surgery

BACKGROUND

Macular holes cause severe impairment of sight. With the aim of improving the outcome of surgery for macular holes, particularly larger macular holes (those measuring over 400 μm), a variable period of face-down positioning may be advised. This review is an update of a Cochrane Review published in 2011.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of postoperative face-down positioning on the outcome of surgery for macular hole.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2022, Issue 5), which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, the ISRCTN registry, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. There were no date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 25 May 2022.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which postoperative face-down positioning was compared to no face-down positioning following surgery for macular holes. The primary outcome of interest was closure of the macular hole. Other outcomes of interest included visual outcomes, quality of life outcomes, and the occurrence of adverse events. Pairs of review authors independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data, assessed risk of bias, and evaluated the certainty of evidence using GRADE.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. We analysed dichotomous data as risk ratios (RRs), and continuous data as mean differences (MDs), with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The unit of analysis was eyes.

MAIN RESULTS

We included eight studies allocating a total of 709 eyes (699 participants). There was heterogeneity in study design, including the control group treatment (from no positioning to strict maintenance of other 'face-forward' postures) and surgical procedures (with or without inner limiting membrane peeling, with or without cataract surgery). There were also different durations of positioning, with two studies using 3 days, two studies using 5 days, and three studies using 10 days of face-down positioning. Whilst the overall risk of bias was low, all included studies were judged to be at high or unclear risk of bias due to absence of assessment of adherence to the 'prescribed' intervention of face-down positioning or posturing. The primary outcome of successful anatomical hole closure at one to six months following surgery was reported in 95 of every 100 eyes of participants advised to position face-down for at least three days after surgery, and in 85 of every 100 eyes of participants not advised to position face-down (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.12, 709 eyes, 8 studies, I² = 44%). Amongst the 327 eyes of participants with macular holes of at least 400 μm, hole closure was noted in 94 of every 100 eyes of participants advised to position face-down, and in 84 of every 100 eyes of participants not advised to position face-down (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.26, 5 studies, I² = 62%). Amongst the 129 eyes of participants with macular holes of less than 400 μm, hole closure was noted in 100 of every 100 eyes of participants advised to position face-down, and in 96 of every 100 eyes of participants not advised to position face-down (RR 1.03, CI 0.97 to 1.11, 4 studies, I² = 0%). The certainty of the evidence was low, downgraded for imprecision (CIs including no effect) and study design limitations (with different durations of face-down posturing used in the absence of a dose-response gradient, and limitations in measuring the exposure). Meta-analysis of visual acuity data was challenging given the use of different definitions of postoperative visual outcome across studies. Three studies reported findings by gain in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters (MD 2.04, 95% CI -0.01 to 4.09, very low-certainty evidence). Meta-analyses of quality of life data were not possible because of inconsistency in outcome metrics across studies. One study reported no difference between groups in quality of life, as reported on a validated quality of life metric scale (the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire - 25 (NEI VFQ-25), between face-down positioning for five days and non-face-down positioning (median NEI VFQ-25 score was 89 (interquartile range (IQR) 76 to 94) in the face-down group versus 87 (IQR 73 to 93) in the non-face-down group (adjusted mean difference on a logistic scale 0.02, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.07, P = 0.41)). Two studies reported increased ease of positioning and less pain in non-face-down positioning groups on non-validated 0-to-10-point visual analogue scores. On an ease-of-positioning score running from 0 (very difficult) to 10 (very easy), there were consistent reports of the discomfort associated with face-down positioning: the median participant-reported ease-of-positioning score was 6 (IQR 4 to 8) in those undergoing 5 days of face-down positioning versus 9 (IQR 7 to 10) in the comparator group (P = 0.01). On a pain score with 0 being pain-free and 10 being in severe pain, mean pain score was 6.52 ± 2.48 in the face-down positioning group versus 2.53 ± 2.6 in the non-face-down positioning group. The adverse event of postoperative nerve compression occurred in less than 1 in every 100 (3 per 1000) participants advised to position face-down, and 0 in every 100 participants not advised to position face-down (699 participants, 8 studies, moderate-certainty evidence).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We identified eight RCTs evaluating face-down positioning following surgery for macular hole. The included studies were not all directly comparable due to differences in the surgical techniques used and the durations of postoperative positioning advised. Low-certainty evidence suggests that face-down positioning may have little or no effect on macular hole closure after surgery. Face-down positioning is a low-risk intervention, with serious adverse events affecting fewer than 1 in 300 people. We suggest that any future trials focus on patients with larger macular holes, with interventions and outcome measures used in previous trials (i.e. with inner limiting membrane peeling, positioning durations of three to five days, and validated quality of life metrics) to allow future meta-analyses to determine any effect with greater precision and confidence.

Non-Invasive Retinal Imaging Modalities for the Identification of Prognostic Factors in Vitreoretinal Surgery for Full-Thickness Macular Holes

In this review, we will focus on different non-invasive retinal imaging techniques that can be used to evaluate morphological and functional features in full-thickness macular holes with a prognostic purpose. Technological innovations and developments in recent years have increased the knowledge of vitreoretinal interface pathologies by identifying potential biomarkers useful for surgical outcomes prediction. Despite a successful surgery of full-thickness macular holes, the visual outcomes are often puzzling, so the study and the identification of prognostic factors is a current topic of interest. Our review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge on prognostic biomarkers identified in full-thickness macular holes by means of different retinal imaging tools, such as optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography, microperimetry, fundus autofluorescence, and adaptive optics.

The Effect of Macular Hole Duration on Surgical Outcomes: An Individual Participant Data Study of Randomized Controlled Trials

TOPIC

To define the effect of symptom duration on outcomes in people undergoing surgery for idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (iFTMHs) by means of an individual participant data (IPD) study of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The outcomes assessed were primary iFTMH closure and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Idiopathic full-thickness macular holes are visually disabling with a prevalence of up to 0.5%. Untreated BCVA is typically reduced to 20/200. Surgery can close holes and improve vision. Symptom duration is thought to affect outcomes with surgery, but the effect is unclear.

METHODS

A systematic review identified eligible RCTs that included adults with iFTMH undergoing vitrectomy with gas tamponade in which symptom duration, primary iFTMH closure, and postoperative BCVA were recorded. Bibliographic databases were searched for articles published between 2000 and 2020. Individual participant data were requested from eligible studies.

RESULTS

Twenty eligible RCTs were identified. Data were requested from all studies and obtained from 12, representing 940 eyes in total. Median symptom duration was 6 months (interquartile range, 3-10). Primary closure was achieved in 81.5% of eyes. There was a linear relationship between predicted probability of closure and symptom duration. Multilevel logistic regression showed each additional month of duration was associated with 0.965 times lower odds of closure (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.935-0.996, P = 0.026). Internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling, ILM flap use, better preoperative BCVA, face-down positioning, and smaller iFTMH size were associated with increased odds of primary closure. Median postoperative BCVA in eyes achieving primary closure was 0.48 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (20/60). Multilevel logistic regression showed for eyes achieving primary iFTMH closure, each additional month of symptom duration was associated with worsening BCVA by 0.008 logMAR units (95% CI, 0.005-0.011, P < 0.001) (i.e., ∼1 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letter loss per 2 months). ILM flaps, intraocular tamponade using long-acting gas, better preoperative BCVA, smaller iFTMH size, and phakic status were also associated with improved postoperative BCVA.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptom duration was independently associated with both anatomic and visual outcomes in persons undergoing surgery for iFTMH. Time to surgery should be minimized and care pathways designed to enable this.

Novel En Face OCT-Based Closure Patterns in Idiopathic Macular Holes

PURPOSE

To determine the postoperative en face OCT pattern of closure in idiopathic macular holes (MHs).

DESIGN

Retrospective, multicentric, observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients aged > 18 years with a diagnosis of idiopathic MH, with well documented en face OCT images.

METHODS

Baseline characteristics and preoperative OCT and en face OCT parameters like horizontal and vertical minimum linear diameter (MLD), horizontal and vertical basal hole diameter (BHD), hole height, acircularity index, and hole orientation were measured.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The type of hole closure on en face OCT, and a comparison of baseline parameters and final visual acuity among the en face closure types.

RESULTS

A total of 64 eyes of 62 patients (24 men and 40 women) with a mean age of 63.8 ± 12.4 years. The median duration of symptoms was 3 months (interquartile range, 1.75-10.5). The eyes had a mean baseline visual acuity of 0.97 ± 0.46 logarithm of minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). The baseline horizontal MLD was 591.7 ± 219.4 μm and the vertical MLD was 552.9 ± 198.2 μm. Baseline horizontal and vertical BHD were 1240.3 ± 521.1 μm and 1142.1 ± 478.1 μm, respectively. The mean hole height was 394.8 ± 123.2 μm. Two different patterns were noted on en face OCT: round, or linear. A total of 38 eyes had a round/centripetal closure and 26 eyes had a linear closure (17 eyes had a horizontal closure, 7 eyes had an oblique closure, while 2 eyes had a vertical closure). The mean final visual acuity was 0.80 ± 0.43 logMAR (Snellen equivalent of 20/125). Eyes with linear closure (0.76 ± 0.23 logMAR) had a significantly (P = 0.03) better visual acuity than the round closure group (1.07 ± 0.28 logMAR), only in eyes with horizontal MLD of > 650 μm, but not when other MLD cut-offs were used.

CONCLUSION

We describe 2 different patterns of hole closure (linear and round) on en face OCT. Further studies will be required to determine its functional significance.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Comparison of Idiopathic Macular Hole Interventions Using Frequency Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Objective

We aimed to determine the efficacy of different idiopathic macular hole treatment methods to improve recovery time and patient outcomes using Frequency Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).

Methods

This retrospective study included patients with idiopathic macular hole who were admitted to our hospital between 1st January 2019 and 31st October 2021. The control group was treated with internal limiting membrane tamponade, and the study group was treated with clamshell therapy. Treatment conditions (internal limiting membrane treatment duration and hole closure rate), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery, OCTA measurements, and SD-OCT were assessed. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) thicknesses were also analyzed.

Results

The treatment time and hole closure rate of the internal limiting membrane in the study group were higher than those in the control group. The curative effect of the study group was better than that of the control group. The postoperative DCP blood vessel density in both groups was higher than that before operation, and the study group was higher than the control group. The FAZ area and circumference were lower than those before surgery, and the study group was lower than the control group. At 3 months after operation, the thickness of DIOA, nasal temporal RNFL, and GCL were decreased in both groups, and the observed values in the study group were lower than those in the control group. At 3-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in RPE thickness between the two groups.

Conclusion

Flip and cover therapy is the most effective treatment. SD-OCT and OCTA provide an objective basis for clinical intervention by comparing the effects of different procedures on the retinal condition of patients.

Prognostic Factors for Visual Outcomes in Closed Idiopathic Macular Holes after Vitrectomy: Outcomes at 4 Years in a Monocentric Study

Purpose

To identify predictive factors of visual outcomes in the eyes after successful macular hole (MH) surgery.

Methods

It is a retrospective monocentric study of the eyes that underwent successful vitrectomy for full-thickness MH in an academic, tertiary care center (CHU de Québec–Université Laval, Québec, Canada) between 2014 and 2018. We included a single eye per patient and excluded the eyes with ocular comorbidities. Clinical and anatomical features of patients were collected, including demographics, MH duration, baseline MH size, baseline visual acuity (VA), and final VA. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to determine predictive factors of VA ≥70 ETDRS letters (Snellen equivalent: 20/40) and VA gain ≥15 ETDRS letters at final follow-up. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used to determine the performance of each model and identify the Youden index maximizing performance at a given threshold.

Results

A total of 460 eyes were included in this study; 274/460 eyes (60%) achieved final VA ≥70 ETDRS letters and 304/460 eyes (66%) had a VA gain ≥15 ETDRS letters at 24 months follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the main predictive factors for final VA ≥70 ETDRS letters (model AUC = 0.716) were baseline VA (OR = 1.064; p < 0.001), MH duration (OR = 0.950; p=0.005), and age (OR = 0.954; p=0.004). Predictors of VA gain ≥15 ETDRS letters at final follow-up (model AUC = 0.615) were baseline VA (OR = 0.878; p < 0.001), MH duration (OR = 0.940; p < 0.001), and MH size (OR = 0.998; p=0.036). Thresholds for the final VA ≥70 ETDRS letters model and the VA gain ≥15 ETDRS letters model were VA ≥55.5 ETDRS letters (Snellen equivalent: 6/30) and MH size of 237 μm, respectively.

Conclusion

The eyes with shorter MH duration, smaller MH size, and higher preoperative VA achieved better visual outcomes after successful MH surgery.

Predicting Visual Improvement After Macular Hole Surgery: A Combined Model Using Deep Learning and Clinical Features

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of deep learning (DL) methods to enhance the prediction of visual acuity (VA) improvement after macular hole (MH) surgery from a combined model using DL on high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) B-scans and clinical features.

Methods

We trained a DL convolutional neural network (CNN) using pre-operative HD-OCT B-scans of the macula and combined with a logistic regression model of pre-operative clinical features to predict VA increase ≥15 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters at 6 months post-vitrectomy in closed MHs. A total of 121 MHs with 242 HD-OCT B-scans and 484 clinical data points were used to train, validate, and test the model. Prediction of VA increase was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and F1 scores. We also extracted the weight of each input feature in the hybrid model.

Results

All performances are reported on the held-out test set, matching results obtained with cross-validation. Using a regression on clinical features, the AUROC was 80.6, with an F1 score of 79.7. For the CNN, relying solely on the HD-OCT B-scans, the AUROC was 72.8 ± 14.6, with an F1 score of 61.5 ± 23.7. For our hybrid regression model using clinical features and CNN prediction, the AUROC was 81.9 ± 5.2, with an F1 score of 80.4 ± 7.7. In the hybrid model, the baseline VA was the most important feature (weight = 59.1 ± 6.9%), while the weight of HD-OCT prediction was 9.6 ± 4.2%.

Conclusions

Both the clinical data and HD-OCT models can predict postoperative VA improvement in patients undergoing vitrectomy for a MH with good discriminative performances. Combining them into a hybrid model did not significantly improve performance.

Translational Relevance

OCT-based DL models can predict postoperative VA improvement following vitrectomy for MH but fusing those models with clinical data might not provide improved predictive performance.

Frequently assessed and used prognostic factors for outcome after macular hole surgery: which is better?

BACKGROUND

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate commonly used clinical and OCT-morphological parameters, including perifoveal pseudocysts, as prognostic factors for postoperative outcome after macular hole surgery in a retinal referral clinic in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

This was a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent surgery because of idiopathic MH between 2011 and 2017 in Augenklinik Tausendfensterhaus, Duisburg, Germany. Statistical evaluation of clinical and OCT-based parameters, including the areas of intraretinal pseudocysts, was conducted. The main statistical outcomes were surgical success and visual acuity. Only parameters with a highly significant correlation to the outcome parameters (postoperative visual acuity (VA); surgical success) in univariate analysis were entered in linear and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 189 eyes of 178 patients (71.4% female; mean age 67.5 ± 8.2 a) who underwent surgery because of MH were included. The overall closure rate was 86.8%. The mean best corrected VA increased from 0.7 ± 0.3 logMAR before surgery to 0.5 ± 0.3 logMAR (p < 0.0001). While several clinical and OCT-based parameters as well as calculated indices showed a significant correlation with the outcome measures, the regression analysis showed that the minimum linear diameter was the only parameter that both predicted surgical success (p = 0.015) and was correlated with postoperative VA (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The minimum linear diameter serves as an easily assessed prognostic factor with the best predictive properties. This result is of great importance for clinical practice, as it simplifies the postsurgical prognosis.

Surgical interventions for lamellar macular holes

BACKGROUND

Lamellar macular holes (LMHs) are small, partial-thickness defects of the macula defined by characteristic features on optical coherence tomography (OCT), including a newly recognised type of epiretinal membrane termed 'epiretinal proliferation'. There may be a rationale to recommend surgery for individuals with LMHs, particularly those with functional or anatomical deterioration, or poor baseline vision causing significant disability, to stabilise the LMH and prevent further visual deterioration; however, there is currently no evidence-based consensus.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of surgical interventions on post-operative visual and anatomical outcomes in people with a confirmed LMH.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE Ovid, Embase Ovid, Scopus SciVerse, ISRCTN registry, US National Institutes of Health Ongoing Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). We also searched reference lists of included trials to identify other eligible trials which our search strategy may have missed. The date of the search was 20 July 2021.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving participants with a confirmed LMH diagnosis which reported one or more surgical intervention(s), alone or in combination, in at least one arm of the RCT.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methods as expected by Cochrane. Two study authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias for included trials. Trial authors were contacted for further information and clarification.

MAIN RESULTS

A single RCT was eligible for inclusion. Thirty-six participants were randomised in a 2:1 ratio; 24 were allocated to undergo surgery (pars plana vitrectomy, peeling of the epiretial proliferation followed by fovea-sparing removal of the internal limiting membrane) and 12 (10 following two participant dropouts) to observation. Overall, the certainty of the evidence was low for all outcomes due to selection and detection bias, and the low number of participants enrolled in the study which may affect the accuracy of results and reliability of conclusions. At six-month follow-up, change in vision was better in the surgery group (-0.27 logMAR improvement) than observation (0.02 worsening) (mean difference (MD): -0.29 logMAR, 95% confidence intervals (CI): -0.33 to -0.25). Central retinal thickness increased in the surgery group over 6 months 126 μm increase) compared with observation group (decrease by 11μm) (MD: 137 μm, 95% CI: 125.87 μm to 148.13 μm). Finally, at six-month follow-up, retinal sensitivity was better in the surgery group (3.03 dB increase) compared with the observation group (0.06 dB decrease) (MD: 3.09 dB, 95% CI: 2.07 to 4.11 dB). Vision-related quality of life and metamorphopsia were not reported. No adverse outcomes or complications were reported in the study, however, authors could not provide information on whether any individuals developed deterioration in vision of 0.2 logMAR or worse.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The included single trial demonstrated improvements in visual and anatomical outcome measures for participants with a LMH who underwent surgery compared with observation only. Therefore, we can conclude that participants who undergo surgery may achieve superior post-operative best corrected visual acuity and anatomical outcomes compared with observation only. However, the results of a single and small RCT provides limited evidence to support or refute surgery as an effective management option for LMHs. Future RCTs with a larger number of participants and with fewer methodological limitations and biases are necessary to inform future clinical practice.

Factors predicting normal visual acuity following anatomically successful macular hole surgery

PURPOSE

To assess the incidence of normal vision following anatomically successful macular hole surgery and associated clinical variables.

METHODS

Multicentre, retrospective chart review. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records from seven European vitreoretinal units. Inclusion criteria were as follows: eyes undergoing primary vitrectomy for idiopathic full-thickness macular hole from January 2015 to January 2018; postoperative macular hole closure confirmed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT); preoperative pseudophakia or phakic eyes receiving combined cataract surgery; one-year follow-up. The primary outcome was 'normal vision' defined as a final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 20/25. Univariate, multivariate and decision-tree analyses were conducted to evaluate the clinical variables associated with 'normal vision'. Odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Of 327 eligible cases, 91 (27.8%) achieved 'normal vision' at 1 year. Multivariate analysis identified variables significantly associated with 'normal vision': shorter symptom duration (odds ratio [OR]=1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.02-1.09; p = 0.002), smaller preoperative OCT minimum linear diameter (OR per 100-micron increase = 1.65; 95%CI:1.31-2.08; p < 0.001) and better mean preoperative BCVA (OR = 15.13; 95%CI: 3.59-63.65; p < 0.001). The decision-tree analysis found that the most significant variable associated with 'normal vision' was symptom duration. 'Normal vision' was achieved in 70.6% of eyes operated within one week from symptom onset and in 45% of eyes with symptom duration between 1 and 3 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested urgent surgery is justified for small macular holes of short duration.

Contemporary Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of 23-Gauge Vitrectomy for Retained Lens Fragments After Phacoemulsification

PURPOSE

To provide data on visual acuity (VA) outcomes and prognostic factors of microincision (23-gauge) vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) for retained lens fragments after complicated cataract surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective, interventional case series from 2012 to 2017.

METHODS

Precataract surgery and intraoperative (vitrectomy) parameters, postvitrectomy complications, and best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were identified. Vitrectomy was performed as early as corneal clarity permitted. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to characterize factors associated with achieving VA better than 20/40, or worse than 20/200 at 6 months.

RESULTS

This study included 291 consecutive eyes (291 patients). LogMAR BCVA improved from 0.73 ± 0.70 before cataract surgery to 0.46 ± 0.63 (P < .001) after vitrectomy. The previtrectomy VA was 1.43 ± 0.79. At 6 months, 183 (62.9%) and 45 patients (15.5%) achieved BCVAs better than 20/40 and worse than 20/200, respectively. Most frequent complications were de novo ocular hypertension (29 eyes, 10%) and transient cystoid macular edema (25 eyes, 8.6%). Postvitrectomy retinal detachment occurred in 9 eyes (3.1%). Final VA of 20/40 or better was independently associated only with better precataract surgery VA, age <75 years, absence of preexisting diabetic macular edema (DME) or postvitrectomy persistent cystoid macular edema (P < .05). Only poorer precataract surgery VA, delaying vitrectomy to later than 2 weeks, and final aphakic status were independently predictive of 20/200 or worse VA (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Contemporary VA outcomes of 23-gauge vitrectomy for retained lens fragments are comparable with that of prior predominantly non-MIVS cohorts, but fall short of benchmarks for uncomplicated cataract surgery. IOL type or timing of placement do not impact final VA.

Recent trends in vitreoretinal surgery: a nationwide database study in Japan, 2010-2017

PURPOSE

We clarified recent trends in vitreoretinal surgery in Japan, which is a rapidly aging country.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

We used the Diagnostic Procedure Combination database (2010-2017), a national inpatient database in Japan. Patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery were included. We measured the number of surgeries stratified by procedures, diagnoses, age categories, and combined cases of cataract surgery per fiscal year. We also considered changes in the Japanese population.

RESULTS

From 2010 to 2017, the total number of vitreoretinal surgeries per fiscal year increased by 7.8% (from 36,988 to 39,873). Among the diagnoses categories, epiretinal membrane (ERM) increased by 71%, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) by 50%, and macular hole (MH) by 12% throughout the observed period. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) decreased by 20%, RRD with scleral buckling (SB) by 40%, and vitreous hemorrhage (VH) by 10%. We observed remarkable increases in ERM among patients in their 60s and 70s, in MH in their 70s and 80s, and in RRD with PPV in their 50s and 60s. We observed remarkable decreases in RRD with SB in patients in their 20s-70s, in DR in their 60s, and in VH in their 60s and 70s. These findings did not change greatly when population changes were considered. All age groups from the 30 to 80s showed significant increases in the proportions of combined vitreoretinal and cataract surgery.

CONCLUSION

The total number of cases of vitreoretinal surgery per fiscal year increased throughout the period. The increases in ERM and RRD with PPV and the decreases in DR and RRD with SB were remarkable.

The Association between Foveal Floor Measurements and Macular Hole Size

PURPOSE

Determining which factors influence idiopathic macular hole (MH) size is important because it is a major prognostic indicator of treatment success. Foveal pit morphologic features are highly symmetrical within individuals and may influence idiopathic MH size. Using a series of patients with unilateral idiopathic MHs, we examined the foveal floor size of the fellow eye to evaluate its relationship with idiopathic MH size and postoperative outcomes.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred forty-one participants with a unilateral idiopathic MH treated with surgery and a fellow eye with no ocular pathologic features.

METHODS

Both eyes underwent spectral-domain (SD) OCT imaging at the time of surgery. Minimum linear diameter (MLD) and base diameter (BD) defined idiopathic MH size. Foveal floor width (FFW) and minimal foveal thickness defined foveal pit morphologic features of the fellow eye.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Baseline characteristics, SD OCT measurements, and preoperative variables were compared to determine their relationship with idiopathic MH size and postoperative visual acuity (VA) in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units.

RESULTS

Foveal floor width was correlated with MLD (r = 0.36; P ≤ 0.001) and BD (r = 0.30; P ≤ 0.001), but not postoperative VA. Minimum linear diameter correlated with preoperative VA (r = 0.49; P ≤ 0.0001) and postoperative VA (r = 0.54; P ≤ 0.0001). A 2-stage regression model was developed to predict postoperative VA (r² = 0.28): preoperative VA (β = 0.36; P = 0.002) explained 13% of variability and MLD (β = 0.29; P = 0.002), and idiopathic MH duration (β = 0.23; P = 0.004) explained a further 16%.

CONCLUSIONS

Foveal floor width of the fellow eye in patients with a unilateral idiopathic MH was correlated significantly with idiopathic MH size and may explain some of the variability in idiopathic MH size observed between individuals. However, FFW could not predict postoperative vision.

Factors affecting anatomical and visual outcome after macular hole surgery: findings from a large prospective UK cohort

OBJECTIVES

To reassess the definition of a large macular hole, factors predicting hole closure and post-surgery visual recovery.

DESIGN

Database study of 1483 primary macular hole operations. Eligible operations were primary MH operations treated with a vitrectomy and a gas or air tamponade. Excluded were eyes with a history of retinal detachment, high myopia, previous vitrectomy or trauma.

RESULTS

A higher proportion of operations were performed in eyes from females (71.1%) who were 'on average' younger (p < 0.001), with slightly larger holes (p < 0.001) than male patients. Sulfur hexafluoride gas was generally used for smaller holes (p < 0.001). From 1253 operations with a known surgical outcome, successful hole closure was achieved in 1199 (96%) and influenced by smaller holes and complete ILM peeling (p < 0.001), but not post-surgery positioning (p = 0.072). A minimum linear diameter of ~500 μm marked the threshold where the success rate started to decline. From the 1056 successfully closed operations eligible for visual outcome analysis, visual success (defined as visual acuity of 0.30 or better logMAR) was achieved in 488 (46.2%) eyes. At the multivariate level, the factors predicting visual success were better pre-operative VA, smaller hole size, shorter duration of symptoms and the absence of AMD.

CONCLUSIONS

Females undergoing primary macular hole surgery tend to be younger and have larger holes than male patients. The definition of a large hole should be changed to around 500 μm, and patients should be operated on early to help achieve a good post-operative VA.