title: Visual and anatomical results of surgery for long standing macular holes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the visual and anatomical outcome of surgery for long standing idiopathic macular holes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review of 24 eyes of all 22 patients who underwent surgery for idiopathic full thickness macular holes (FTMH) symptomatic for between 1 and 3 years. Postoperative follow up was for 6 months. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuities were recorded as well as the presence of anatomical closure of the hole.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean duration of symptoms was 18.21 (SD 5.42) months). Anatomical closure of the FTMH was achieved in 17 (70.8%) of the eyes at 6 months. The logMAR acuity of the group where closure was achieved improved by a mean of 0.31, equivalent to a change of Snellen acuity from 6/60 to 6/29. Where the hole remained open the acuity deteriorated by a mean logMAR of 0.11 lines, equivalent to a change of Snellen acuity from 6/60 to 5/60. Anatomical closure of the hole was associated with a significantly improved acuity over non-closure (p<0.001). The degree of visual improvement was independent of the preoperative visual acuity (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.03, p=0.888), though preoperative acuity was related to the final acuity (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.701, p<0.001). Over the study period, six patients required cataract surgery, one patient developed secondary glaucoma, and one a retinal detachment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitrectomy with intraocular gas tamponade and postoperative posturing is a well tolerated and effective intervention for long standing macular holes. Anatomical closure of the macular hole is associated with a significant improvement in visual acuity.
authors.affiliation: Moorfields Eye Hospital, City Road, London EC1V 2PD.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ezra
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: Z J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Gregor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods