Impact of inverted internal limiting membrane-flap technique on functional outcome and structural restoration of small and medium size macular holes

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM)-flap technique on the visual outcome and anatomical recovery for small (400 μ) macular holes (MHs). Methods: Retrospective study included consecutive idiopathic MH cases operated on using the inverted ILM-flap technique. Clinical data were retrieved from electronic medical records (EMRs), surgical videos, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) machines. Eyes with axial length >25 mm, coexisting macular diseases, and follow-up 0.05). However, for medium MHs, it was higher in the ILM flap (0.66 ± 0.52) group compared to the no flap (0.32 ± 0.37) group. One eye with small MH developed significant gliosis resulting in reduced BCVA. ELM was restored in all eyes with small and medium MHs. Conclusion: We observed that the ILM flap did not adversely affect anatomical and visual outcomes for MHs <400 μm. Restoration of ELM suggests minimal interference in structural recovery by an ILM flap.

Keywords

• ilm flap
• inverted ilm flap
• macular hole
• optical coherence tomography