Macular hole surgery with and without internal limiting membrane peeling

Abstract Purpose To compare the results of surgery for idiopathic macular hole with or without the surgical removal of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and the effect on anatomical and functional success rates. Methods 41 consecutive patients with idiopathic macular hole stage II (n=11), III (n=22) and IV (n=8) underwent pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular gas tamponade in this study. The surgery was performed either with ILM peeling,Group A (n=28), or without, Group B (n=13). Ocular coherence tomography and ETDRS visual acuity were measured pre‐ and postoperatively to assess macular hole size and anatomical hole closure as well as visual function. Results The postoperative macular hole closure rate was 100% (28/28) in Group A and 84,6% (11/13) in Group B. The 2 cases that failed to close with primary surgery had a hole size greater than 400µm. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the postoperative visual outcome once anatomical success was achieved. Conclusion The study suggests that more evidence based trials are necessary to investigate the benefit of ILM peeling especially in the treatment of larger macular holes.