title: Predictors of success in macular hole surgery with emphasis on the internal limiting membrane (ILM) and ILM peeling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the predictors of success in macular hole surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two eyes of 21 patients underwent macular hole surgery. The hole closure rate and the visual improvement were studied based on the preoperative visual acuity, stage and duration of the macular hole, the type of intravitreal tamponade used, and internal limiting membrane peeling. The internal limiting membrane was peeled only when it was clinically prominent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Macular holes were closed in 19 of the 22 eyes and visual improvement of 2 lines or more was achieved in 17 eyes. Preoperative visual acuity, duration of the macular hole, type of intraocular tamponade used, and internal limiting membrane peeling did not affect the outcome. A final visual acuity of 20/70 or better was more common after surgery for stage 2 holes (P = .019).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The best predictor of outcome was the stage of the hole, with best results obtained in stage 2 holes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Saint Louis University Eye Institute, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63104, USA.
authors.forename: Ozay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Oz
authors.forename: Scott J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Fudemberg
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cakir
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Akduman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levent
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy
chemical_list: D005466:Fluorocarbons; D012827:Silicone Oils; C042852:perflutren