Long-Term Changes of Macular Thickness after Pars Plana Vitrectomy in Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy: A Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Study

Intraoperative optical coherence tomography-assisted displacement of prepapillary membrane in eyes with optic disc pit maculopathy

PURPOSE

To determine the efficacy of displacing a prepapillary membrane during vitrectomy assisted by intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) to treat eyes with optic disc pit maculopathy.

METHOD

Pars plana vitrectomy was performed with 27-gauge instruments on 4 eyes of 4 consecutive patients for optic disc pit maculopathy with retinoschisis and foveal detachment. After creating a posterior vitreous detachment, the prepapillary membrane was made visible by brilliant blue G staining. The membrane was peeled from the central retinal vessel and inverted and placed over intraretinal clefts or stuffed into the optic disc pit. These procedures were guided by intraoperative OCT. A gas tamponade and peripapillary laser was not used. The preoperative and postoperative OCT images and surgical outcomes were evaluated.

RESULT

Intraretinal clefts connected to an inner retinoschisis were detected at the edge of the optic disc pit in 3 eyes with intraoperative OCT and 2 eyes with preoperative OCT. The foveal detachment and retinoschisis were resolved completely in all 4 eyes at postoperative 13 to 15 months. The postoperative vision improved from 20/25 to 20/18 at the final examination in all eyes.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative OCT can detect intraretinal clefts at the edge of the optic disc pit, and the OCT images are helpful in guiding the peeling and placement of the prepapillary membrane to achieve anatomical and visual recovery.

Surgical outcomes in patients with optic disc pit maculopathy: does peeling the ILM lead to better outcomes?

PURPOSE

Optic disc pits (ODPs) are rare congenital anomalies. Several patients develop optic disc pit maculopathy (ODP-M): visual impairment caused by intra- and/or subretinal fluid. Treatment mode remains controversial. This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and gas tamponade with or without internal limiting membrane (ILM)-peeling in improving visual acuity and reducing subretinal fluid in ODP-M patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 16 patients who underwent surgery for ODP-M from 2002-2015. Six patients underwent PPV with gas tamponade (group 1); ten patients additionally received ILM-peeling (group 2). Pre- and postoperative visual acuity and central retinal thickness (CRT) were compared between groups, as well as retinal morphology and the number of secondary vitrectomies and complications.

RESULTS

Median visual acuity improved by 2 ETDRS lines in both groups (p = 0.713, Mann-Whitney U test). Median CRT decreased by 426.5 µm and 460 µm (p = 0.931). One patient in group 1 underwent repeat vitrectomy for persistent retinoschisis. Three patients in group 2 required repeat vitrectomy: two to treat a macular hole, one for peripheral retinal holes with retinal detachment.

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, PPV with gas tamponade proved to be an effective first-line treatment for ODP-M. Additional ILM-peeling did not give a significant benefit in this study.

Topical Review: Optic Disc Pits and Associated Maculopathy

SIGNIFICANCE

Although the treatment of optic disc pit maculopathy is controversial, this review concludes that the most successful current intervention is pars plana vitrectomy with peeling of the internal limiting membrane and induction of posterior vitreous detachment.Initially described in 1882, an optic disc pit is a rare defect of the optic nerve. This anomaly can result in sight-threatening retinopathy in the form of macular detachment and/or schisis. Outlined in this review of the literature are the incidence, clinical presentation, ancillary testing, pathogenesis, and management of optic disc pits and optic disc pit maculopathy.

Thoughts and Challenges for the Current Treatment of Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy

PURPOSE

The present review describes the procedures that intervene directly in covering and stuffing the optic disc pit (ODP).

METHODS

We made a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the new treatment modalities for the treatment of ODP maculopathy, mainly concentrated on covering and stuffing of the ODP. We presented the anatomical and functional outcomes of these techniques in patients with ODP maculopathy, while potential risks and complications of these techniques are also discussed.

RESULTS

The most commonly used treatment alternative for ODP maculopathy is vitrectomy, which seems to be more successful if it is associated with the covering of the ODP by internal limiting membrane (ILM) inverted flapping. The results of the procedure are successful, if the origin of the fluid comes from the vitreous cavity. Another new procedure aims at the stuffing of the ODP by rolled ILM-flap, autologous scleral tissue or human amniotic membrane, providing promising anatomical results. The so far anatomical and functional results are discussed in detail. The literature, however, is limited regarding these techniques and based mainly on case reports with short-term follow-up. Additionally, the stuffing technique is possible to provoke further damage of optic nerve tissue and remain challenging in its use.

CONCLUSIONS

Both covering and stuffing techniques of the ODP seem to have promising results, when used as adjunct to vitrectomy. One should take into account special considerations and possible further complications for their use in the treatment of ODP maculopathy.

Optic Disc Pit Maculopathy: New Perspectives on the Natural History

PURPOSE

To investigate the natural history of optic disc pit maculopathy and explore the associations between demographic, anatomic, and functional characteristics.

DESIGN

Retrospective, comparative case series.

METHODS

This was a single-center medical record review of previously untreated optic disc pit maculopathy. Baseline data of visual function, demographics, and pit physiognomy were collected, and further subgroup analysis was undertaken on patients with long-term follow-up, according to whether they were monitored or received surgical intervention. LogMAR visual acuity was the primary outcome measure, and anatomic characteristics were reported where available.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients were identified with a new presentation of optic disc pit maculopathy. No demographic or pit features were correlated with vision at baseline. In 51 patients with available optical coherence tomography data, only the presence of subretinal fluid at baseline was associated with poorer visual acuity (P < .001). Fifty-two patients who were monitored without treatment had available long-term follow-up data. The mean change in visual acuity in this group was 0.01, with 77% maintaining visual acuity ≤0.30. Twenty-seven patients underwent surgery and showed significant postoperative improvement in vision (P < .001), with 59% achieving an acuity ≤0.30. Duration of postoperative follow-up was associated with better visual acuity (P = .007).

CONCLUSION

Many patients with optic disc pit maculopathy maintain good long-term visual acuity and may demonstrate resolution of subretinal fluid in the absence of surgical intervention. There may be evidence to support delaying surgical treatment until visual deterioration is observed because of the potential stability or spontaneous improvement of the condition, the high rate of reoperation, and the long-term positive outcomes of deferred intervention.

Optic disk pit maculopathy: current management strategies

Introduction

Optic disk pit (ODP) is a rare congenital abnormality of the optic nerve head and can lead to visual impairment when macular detachment occurred. Recent advances in retinal imaging brought new insights into the pathophysiology of the disease, while new therapeutic options have been also described.

Methods

We made a comprehensive search of the literature regarding the current treatment modalities for the treatment of ODP maculopathy.

Results

Although there have been reported some cases of spontaneous resolution, current management of ODP maculopathy involves several surgical approaches. The most commonly used treatment alternative for ODP maculopathy management is vitrectomy, either alone or in combination with other treatment modalities, such as gas tamponade or laser photocoagulation. Other options, such as scleral buckling and inner fenestration, are also used, based on the recent findings about pathophysiology of the disease.

Conclusion

The management of ODP maculopathy remains challenging. Even though there are further advances in the understanding of the disease pathophysiology, the applied treatment is not single and therapeutic modalities differ in the success rate, related to the anatomical and functional results.