Vitrectomy for idiopathic macular hole: outcomes and complications

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the anatomical closure rate together with the rate of functional success of idiopathic macular holes following vitreous surgery in different optical coherence tomography (OCT) stages.Patients and methodsThis was a prospective, case series, interventional study. Twenty-two eyes were enrolled in this study conducted at Mansoura University Ophthalmic Center during the period between June 2012 and December 2014 with at least 3 months of follow-up. Eyes with stage 2, 3, and 4 idiopathic macular hole according to the Gass classification were included. All eyes were subjected to 23-G pars plana vitrectomy, inner limiting membrane peeling, fluid-gas exchange, and postoperative positioning.ResultsIdiopathic macular hole closure was achievable in 18 of 22 cases, with overall 81.4% anatomical success. Type 1 closure (U-shaped closure) was achieved in 13 cases (59.1%), type 2 closure (V-shaped closure) in three cases (13.6%), type 3 closure (irregular closure) in one case (4.5%), and type 4 closure was reported in one case (4.5%). The median postoperative log MAR visual acuity at 3 months was 1.0 (0.9445-1.2073). The overall postoperative visual acuity improvement was strongly statistically significant (P = 0.000). The visual acuity improvement at 3 months compared with the preoperative visual acuity was statistically significant (P = 0.000). The delta change in log MAR visual acuity at 3 months was 0.5 (−0.7782 to −0.4331), with greater improvement in log MAR visual acuity in group I (stage 2 OCT) compared with group III (stage 3 and 4 OCT at 3 months; P = 0.05). Retinal breaks were observed intraoperatively in three cases. Retinal detachment was reported in one case 4 months postoperatively.ConclusionMacular hole closure rate and visual acuity markedly improved following vitreous surgery for idiopathic macular holes.