Project description:The aim of the study was to assess the role of inverted internal limiting membrane flap as a treatment option for large traumatic macular holes.This is a prospective noncomparative study in which 12 eyes with large traumatic macular holes (basal diameter of 1300-2800 μm) since 3 to 6 months were subjected to standard 23-gauge vitrectomy with removal of the posterior hyaloid, brilliant blue G (BBG)-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling in a circular fashion keeping it attached to the edge of the hole to create a flap. At the end of the surgery, air fluid exchange was done with inversion of the internal limiting membrane flap inside the macular hole using the soft tipped cannula and sulfur hexafluoride 20% as tamponade. The main follow-up measures are the best corrected visual acuity and the optical coherence tomography for 6 to 9 months.All the included eyes had a closed hole from the first week postoperative and along the follow-up period (6-9 months). The best corrected visual acuity improved from 20/2000 to 20/200 with a median of 20/400 preoperatively to 20/400 to 20/50 with a median of 20/100 at the end of follow-up period.Inverted internal limiting membrane flap is a good adjuvant to standard vitrectomy in the management of large traumatic macular holes that led to the 100% closure rate and improvement of best corrected visual acuity.
Project description:BackgroundLamellar 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.ObjectivesTo assess the effect of surgical interventions on post-operative visual and anatomical outcomes in people with a confirmed LMH.Search methodsWe 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 criteriaWe 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 analysisWe 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 resultsA 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' conclusionsThe 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.
Project description:PurposeTo investigate morpho-functional changes after surgical treatment for ERM foveoschisis or lamellar macular hole (LMH), and to evaluate whether the two entities are associated with different healing processes and long-term outcomes.DesignRetrospective interventional case series.MethodsA total of 56 eyes, treated for lamellar macular defects and followed up for 24 months, were enrolled. The eyes were divided into two groups: 34 with ERM foveoschisis and 22 with LMH. Changes in the following features were evaluated and compared between the two groups: best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ) defects, central foveal thickness (CFT), and autofluorescence (FAF) diameter and area.ResultsAfter surgery, progressive BCVA improvement was observed with no significant difference between the two groups (p-value: 0.06). An increased number of eyes with intact outer-retinal layers was found both in the ERM foveoschisis and LMH groups. FAF diameter and area decreased significantly throughout the FU with no significant difference between the two groups (p-value: 0.2).ConclusionIn the present study, significant functional and microstructural improvements were observed after surgery for both ERM foveoschisis and LMH, demonstrating considerable repair potential in both types of lamellar defects. These findings question the true "degenerative" nature of LMH.
Project description:PurposeTo use artificial intelligence to identify imaging biomarkers for anatomic and functional progression of lamellar macular hole (LMH) and elaborate a deep learning (DL) model based on OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA) for prediction of visual acuity (VA) loss in untreated LMHs.DesignMulticentric retrospective observational study.ParticipantsPatients aged >18 years diagnosed with idiopathic LMHs with availability of good quality OCT and OCTA acquisitions at baseline and a follow-up >2 years were recruited.MethodsA DL model based on soft voting of 2 separate models (OCT and OCTA-based respectively) was trained for identification of cases with VA loss >5 ETDRS letters (attributable to LMH progression only) during a 2-year follow-up. Biomarkers of anatomic and functional progression of LMH were evaluated with regression analysis, feature learning (support vector machine [SVM] model), and visualization maps.Main outcome measuresEllipsoid zone (EZ) damage, volumetric tissue loss (TL), vitreopapillary adhesion (VPA), epiretinal proliferation, central macular thickness (CMT), parafoveal vessel density (VD) and vessel length density (VLD) of retinal capillary plexuses, choriocapillaris (CC), and flow deficit density (FDD).ResultsFunctionally progressing LMHs (VA-PROG group, 41/139 eyes [29.5%]) showed higher prevalence of EZ damage, higher volumetric TL, higher prevalence of VPA, lower superficial capillary plexus (SCP), VD and VLD, and higher CC FDD compared with functionally stable LMHs (VA-STABLE group, 98/139 eyes [70.5%]). The DL and SVM models showed 92.5% and 90.5% accuracy, respectively. The best-performing features in the SVM were EZ damage, TL, CC FDD, and parafoveal SCP VD. Epiretinal proliferation and lower CMT were risk factors for anatomic progression only.ConclusionsDeep learning can accurately predict functional progression of untreated LMHs over 2 years. The use of AI might improve our understanding of the natural course of retinal diseases. The integrity of CC and SCP might play an important role in the progression of LMHs.Financial disclosuresThe authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Project description:PurposeTo describe a novel method for the treatment of refractory macular holes.MethodsTwo case reports on the use of autologous platelet rich fibrin (PRF), followed by sulfur hexafluoride gas tamponade to facilitate closure of refractory macular holes.ResultsMacular holes were succesfully closed within a week in both cases. Best corrected Snellen visual acuities improved from counting fingers to 0.16 in the first case, and from 0.05 to 0.2 in the second case. No complication occurred during or after the procedures.ConclusionThe use of autologous PRF seems to be a safe and effective alternative method for the treatment of refractory macular holes. Further experience and studies are required to assess the value of autologous PRF in the management of challenging macular hole cases of different etiologies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of autologous PRF in the treatment of macular holes.
Project description:PURPOSE:The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a new surgical technique of non-inverted pedicle internal limiting membrane (ILM) transposition for the treatment of eyes with large macular hole. METHODS:This is a retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series. Twelve eyes of 12 consecutive patients who underwent vitrectomy for the treatment of a large macular hole (MH size > 400 µm) were treated. ILM was peeled and left with a pedicle attached to the superior temporal retina. The macular hole was covered by transposition of the pedicle ILM in a non-inverted way. Preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), SD-OCT image, macular sensitivity by microperimetry, and multifocal electroretinogram (mERG) response were evaluated. All of the patients were followed for more than 3 months. RESULTS:Postoperative OCT examination confirmed 11 of 12 macular hole closed (91.7%). Six macular hole filled with silicone oil closed as early as the next day. The postoperative BCVA significantly increased compared with preoperative BCVA (P = 0.002). The improvement of macular sensitivity within 2° and 8° circle was also statistical significant (P = 0.018 and P = 0.017, respectively). Fixation stability, shown as the percentage of fixation point within the 2° circle and 4° circle, was remarkably improved (P = 0.017 and P = 0.018, respectively). The R1/R2 and R1/R4 ring ratios also increased significantly as compared with that of baseline. CONCLUSION:These findings indicate that the non-inverted pedicle ILM transposition results in a high incidence of anatomic closure with good visual outcome for the treatment of large macular hole.
Project description:PurposeTo report the anatomic and functional outcomes of an innovative surgical technique for either chronic or persistent macular holes (MHs).ObservationsA consecutive retrospective interventional case series of 2 patients with chronic macular hole in one case and persistent macular hole in the other case were included. Surgical technique involves pars plana vitrectomy, use of triamcinolone acetonide for posterior hyaloid staining followed by internal limiting membrane peeling in case number 1, macula area is detached by means of subretinal injection of balanced salt solution (BSS) trough 3 puncture retinotomies strategically placed. Fluid-air exchange is done and gas tamponed is injected. Face-down position is required. Preoperative, and postoperative best corrected visual acuity was recorded. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) scans were registered and compared. Case number 1 did not achieve a complete closure of the macular hole during a 6-month follow-up period. Case number 2 had successful hole closure after the procedure and was maintained for 12 months of follow up. No worsening in visual acuity was reported in neither eye, and improvement in visual acuity in case number 2 was observed from CF to 20/100 at the end of 12 months of follow up.Conclusions and importanceThis surgical technique has previously demonstrated to provide resolution of chronic, large and persistent MH. However, in our case series we observed a complete closure of the macular hole in only one of two patients. Therefore, in spite of being a very small case series these results suggest the need to perform further studies to identify the presence of risk factors which could decrease the probability of failure with this interesting surgical technique.
Project description:PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of vitreopapillary adhesion (VPA) and to investigate its value as a prognostic factor in the surgical outcome of pseudo- (PMH) and lamellar macular holes (LMH). METHODS: A total of 76 consecutive patients, diagnosed with PMH (41 eyes) or LMH (35 eyes) were included. Eyes with VPA were alternatively assigned to the surgical or control group. Surgery consisted of a 25G vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling with blue dye staining. There were six visits: baseline, the day of surgery, and 1, 3, 6, and 9 post-operative months. Main outcome measures were the incidence of VPA and changes in the outer retinal layers and visual acuity. RESULTS: VPA was found in 27% (11/41) of patients with PMH and 37% (13/35) with LMH (P=0.03). In presence of VPA, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved in the surgery group from 32 ± 8 to 47 ± 8 letters, whereas the control group went from 34 ± 7 to 31 ± 8 letters. The difference in letters between the surgery and control groups was statistically significant for both distance (P=0.032) and near (P=0.04) vision. Intra-retinal cysts were significantly correlated with a poor functional prognosis (P=0.01). We found the presence of focal damage to the outer retinal layers in LMH and PMH. CONCLUSION: VPA is more frequent in the presence of LMH vsPMH. It significantly influences the tangential forces at the vitreoretinal interface, exacerbating anatomical changes, and worsening the functional prognosis. Functional difference between the surgical and control groups was statistically significant for distant and near vision in presence of VPA.
Project description:BackgroundTo evaluate visual and safety outcomes for 25-gauge (25G) and 27-gauge (27G) micro-incision vitrectomy platforms (MIVS) for the treatment of epiretinal membrane and full-thickness macular holes.MethodsRetrospective analysis of all patients who underwent internal limiting membrane (ILM) peel surgery from January 2017 through December 2018. 207 cases met the eligibility criteria for inclusion. Primary endpoint was post-operative Best-Corrected Distance Visual Acuity (BCVA) at 6 months.ResultsFor all patients combined, mean logMAR BCVA improved from 0.57 (± 0.40) to 0.37 (± 0.36) post-operatively (p < 0.001). For 25G ERMs, logMAR BCVA improved from 0.51 (± 0.28) to 0.30 (± 0.25) post-operatively (p < 0.001). For 27G ERMs, logMAR BCVA improved from 0.33 (± 0.28) to 0.28 (± 0.27) post- operatively (p = 0.15). For 25G FTMHs, logMAR BCVA improved from 0.87 (± 0.48) to 0.51 (± 0.44) post-operatively (p < 0.001). For 27G FTMHs, logMAR BCVA changed from 0.89 (± 0.47) to 0.96 (± 0.60).ConclusionFinal visual outcomes improved for both 25G and 27G ERM groups and the 25G FTMH group. Both 25G and 27G were safe and well tolerated MIVS platforms for the treatment of ERM and FTMH.