J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2001 Mar;42(3):446-452.

Effect of Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling in Idiopathic Macular Holes Stage 3, 4

• Kim YS
• Kim YB

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the surgical results of internal limiting membrane peeling during pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of idiopathic macular holes.
METHODS
Ten patients(10 eyes) with idiopathic macular hole stage 3 or 4 underwent pars plana vitrectomy with peeling of the macular internal limiting membrane, and total fluid-gas exchange, and were positioned face-down for 2 weeks.
RESULTS
Anatomic success was achieved in 10 eyes(100%), and visual improvement of 2 or more lines on Han Chun Suk visual acuity chart was achieved in 5 eyes(50%). Eyes with symptoms of less than 6 months showed better functional recovery than eyes with symptoms of more than 6 months. Transmission electron microscopic examination showed internal limiting membrane in the removed specimens. Complications attributed to the operation included nucleosclerosis, transient high intraocular pressure, and retinal pigment epithelial degeneration.
CONCLUSIONS
Internal limiting membrane peeling may be a useful adjunct for the successful macular hole surgery.

Keyword

Internal limiting membrane; Macular hole; Surgery

MeSH Terms

Intraocular Pressure
Membranes*
Retinal Perforations*
Retinaldehyde
Visual Acuity
Vitrectomy
Retinaldehyde