Prospective Evaluation of Results of Surgical Treatment of Patients with Idiopathic Macular Hole by Phacovitrectomy and Combined Cataract and Vitrectomy Surgery
Authors: Tochman-Kanty Kinga , Jasielska Monika , Mackiewicz Jerzy 
Published: May 2024

Purpose of the study:

The purpose of the study was to compare the morphological and functional results of the studied patients with idiopathic macular hole treated with a one-stage method (phacovitrectomy) and combined cataract and vitrectomy surgery.

Material and methods:

The study included 33 patients (33 eyes) with idiopathic macular hole treated at the Department of Retina and Vitreous Surgery in Lublin. Twenty-one eyes were surgically treated with phacovitrectomy (Group 1 MH). Twelve patients underwent two-stage, combined treatment with removal of the lens in the first stage and vitrectomy in the second (Group 2 MH). The assignment of patients to groups was random. All patients underwent 23-gauge sutureless vitrectomy with removal of the internal limiting membrane (internal limiting membrane peeling). SF6 gas was used as an intraocular tamponade at an isovolumetric concentration of 20% and face down position recommendation for 7 days. Cataract surgery was performed using the phacoemulsification method with an incision in the transparent part of the cornea with intracapsular, posterior chamber implantation of a monofocal lens. A 12-month observation period was established, measured from the date of vitrectomy performance, and in the case of a combined procedure, this period was extended by the time between each stage of treatment. At subsequent check-ups, the subjects underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, which included: best corrected distance visual acuity and best corrected near visual acuity, assessment of the anterior and posterior segments, in a slit lamp, measurement of retinal sensitivity in the macula using microperimetry, the Amsler test and optical coherence tomography examination of the macula.

Results:

In patients of the total studied group, an improvement in the best-corrected visual distance and near acuity was obtained, and in 88% retinal sensitivity in the macula was also achieved. In the group of patients subjected to phacovitrectomy (Group 1 macular hole) with an average minimum hole diameter of 487.48 µm before the procedure, after a one-year follow-up the mean best corrected distance visual acuity was 0.57 and best corrected near visual acuity 0.51, with macular retinal sensitivity of 26.65 dB. However, in the group of patients subjected to combined cataract and vitrectomy, an average minimum hole diameter of 521.58 µm 12 months after trans pars plana vitrectomy was performed as well as an average best corrected distance visual acuity of 0.64, best corrected near visual acuity of 0.5, and retinal sensitivity in the macula of 25.98 dB. There were no statistically significant differences between phacovitrectomy and the combined procedures in terms of the improvement in the values of distance and near visual acuity and macular retinal sensitivity 12 months after trans pars plana vitrectomy. A statistically significant improvement in retinal sensitivity in the macula was observed in Group 1 macular hole during the 12-month follow-up, while in the combined procedure group the improvement was not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Vitrectomy is an effective method of treating maculopathy in the form of macular hole. Morphological and functional improvement was noted in all patients, regardless of the treatment method used. There were no statistically significant differences between phacovitrectomy and the combined procedure in terms of the improvement achieved in the values of distance visual acuity parameters, near vision and retinal sensitivity in the macula 12 months after trans pars plana vitrectomy. A common feature of patients with worse results on individual variables was a longer duration of the disease and a larger size of the hole prior vitrectomy.