Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine the functional and anatomical outcomes of macular hole surgery with and without inner limiting membrane (ILM) peel performed at a specialist vitreo–retinal unit. Methods: Medical records were reviewed of 88 patients who underwent macular hole surgery between January 2000 and December 2001. Results: 67 patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy with platelets, while 21 patients received vitrectomy, platelets and ILM peel as the first surgery. For both groups the mean time from symptoms to surgery was 8 months. In the non–ILM peel group mean hole stage was 3.1 compared to 3.5 for the ILM peel group. Visual acuity improvement by 1 or more lines on a Snellen chart was 68% in patients without ILM peel and 71% in patients with ILM peel. This rate increased to 76% in the former group following repeat macular hole surgery and cataract extraction. The difference in visual improvement was not significant. Post operative hole closure rate was 55 (82%) for patients without ILM peel and 21 (100%) in patients with ILM peel. Conclusions: ILM peel did not affect functional outcome in macular hole surgery, but improved anatomical hole closure success rate and hence reduced the need for a second surgical procedure.
Keywords: macular holes • retina • vitreous