Analysis of vitrectomy for idiopathic macular hole by optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE: To evaluate foveal structure after vitrectomy for idiopathic macul ar hole in relation to postoperative visual outcome. METHODS: Optical coherence tomography was performed postoperatively to asse ss retinal thickness at the foveal center in patients who underwent vitrect omy, posterior hyaloid membrane removal, and perfluoropropane gas tamponade for idiopathic macular hole. Thirty-seven eyes of 36 patients documented t o have achieved anatomic hole closure by optical coherence tomography were included in the study. RESULTS: Increased visual acuity significantly correlated with greater fove al thickness assessed at a median of 5 months postoperatively (Spearman ana lysis; R = .453, P = .005). CONCLUSION: Visual outcome after anatomic closure of macular holes by vitre ctomy is closely related to the structure of the center of the fovea postop eratively. (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.