Stereo acuity in patients with unilateral macular hole and after unilateral macular hole surgery

Purpose: To investigate stereo acuity levels in patients with unilateral id iopathic macular hole and after surgical intervention. Methods: In 31 conse cutive patients with a unilateral macular hole and 46 consecutive patients who underwent successful unilateral macular hole surgery, complete ocular e xaminations, including orthoptic examinations and microperimetry using the scanning laser ophthalmoscope, were performed. Results: A significantly pos itive correlation was found between VA and stereo acuity (r=0.87, P<0.01). After successful surgery, stereo acuity also correlated with the presence o r absence of absolute and/or relative scotoma, and was best in eyes without scotomata. Patients with unilateral idiopathic macular hole, suppression, and symptom duration of 24 months or longer had no stereoscopic vision. Con clusions: The results indicated that in patients with unilateral idiopathic macular hole and after surgery, stereo acuity correlated with VA. Patients with unilateral macular hole should be operated upon as early as possible, resulting in better VA and better stereo acuity.