Optical cross-sectional evaluation of successfully repaired idiopathic macular holes by retinal thickness analyzer

Purpose: To describe optical cross-sectional images of successfully repaire d idiopathic macular holes and to determine the influences of epiretinal me mbranes and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) changes on foveal reconstructi on and the correlation between retinal thickness and postoperative visual a cuity. Methods: In a prospective study, optical cross-sectional imaging and retina l thickness measurement of the macula using a retinal thickness analyzer we re performed on 63 eyes of 63 patients who underwent successful macular hol e surgery. Results: Cross-sectional images of foveal reconstruction were morphological ly categorized into four patterns: normal fovea (23 eyes [37%]), cavernous fovea (19 eyes [30%]), flat fovea (11 eyes [17%]), and irregular fovea (10 eyes [16%]), Epiretinal membranes were observed in the last two groups (55% and 40%) and RPE changes were observed only in the irregular fovea group ( 16%), The mean retinal thickness of the fovea in all eyes was 213 +/- 92 mu m (mean +/- SD; range, 93-570 mum), which varied significantly (P < 0.001) among the four groups. Linear regression analysis showed a significant corr elation between retinal thickness at the fovea and logarithmic converted vi sual acuity (R-2 = 0.42, P < 0.001), Conclusions: Structural features of foveal reconstruction following success ful macular hole surgery involved four patters: normal fovea, cavernous fov ea, flat fovea, and irregular fovea. Retinal thickness of the fovea, which varied among the groups, correlated with postoperative visual acuity. Posto perative epiretinal membrane formation and RPE damage may disturb normal fo veal reconstruction and visual recovery.