Persistent outer retinal defect after successful macular hole repair.
OBJECTIVE
To report two cases of a persistent outer retinal defect evident by optical coherence tomography (OCT) after clinically successful macular hole surgery.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
A retrospective case series of two patients who had a persistent outer retinal defect by OCT and excellent visual acuity after clinically successful macular hole surgery.


RESULTS
Two patients with stage 2 macular holes and preoperative visual acuity of 20/70 and 20/60, respectively, underwent macular hole surgery. Although the macular holes were closed on clinical evaluation, a persistent outer retinal defect was identified by OCT in both patients. At 5 to 6 months postoperatively, the outer retinal defect became less prominent and the visual acuity remained at 20/20 in both patients.


CONCLUSIONS
An outer retinal defect by OCT may occur in the early postoperative period after macular hole surgery. Despite this defect, good visual acuity is possible.
Moshfeghi
Andrew A
AA
Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Flynn
Harry W
HW
Elner
Susan G
SG
Puliafito
Carmen A
CA
Gass
J Donald M
JD
D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000601:surgery; D019773:Epiretinal Membrane / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy