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. 2023 Sep 1;17(5):584-587.
doi: 10.1097/ICB.0000000000001249.

NONSURGICAL RESOLUTION OF FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLES WITHOUT VITREOMACULAR TRACTION

Paige J Richards  1 , Amol D Kulkarni  2 , T Michael Nork  1 , Monique Leys  3 , David Hinkle  4 , Karina A Conlin  1 , Stanley Chang  5 , Jonathan S Chang  1
Affiliations

NONSURGICAL RESOLUTION OF FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLES WITHOUT VITREOMACULAR TRACTION

Paige J Richards et al. Retin Cases Brief Rep. .

Abstract

Background/purpose: The purpose of this study was to report a case series of full-thickness macular holes without vitreomacular traction that resolved without surgery.

Methods: This study is a retrospective case series of 11 patients who demonstrated closure of full-thickness macular holes without surgical intervention.

Results: All full-thickness macular holes closed, with all patients having improvement in visual acuity. All but one of the cases had visual acuity better than 20/40 at last recorded visit. Most cases presented with associated epiretinal membrane (73%), cystoid changes (64%), defects <150 μ m (80%), and resolved within 2 months (91%). Topical anti-inflammatory drops were used in 7 of 11 cases, and dorzolamide was used in one case.

Conclusion: Full-thickness macular holes can develop in eyes without the presence of vitreomacular traction. Topical therapy without vitrectomy may be particularly helpful in closure of full-thickness macular holes with associated cystoid macular edema. Holes with a lamellar hole component may spontaneously resolve as part of a retinal remodeling process.

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