Macular Hole Surgery

The aim of this study is to compare the functional visual outcomes, anatomical closure rate and macular perfusion changes assessed by OCT and OCTA after surgical repair of macular hole using Tenon capsule graft versus ILM flap.

This prospective interventional study evaluates the anatomical and functional outcomes of autologous Tenon's capsule grafting in patients with refractory full-thickness macular holes. Eligible patients include those with chronic large macular holes (\>400 µm) or persistent holes following prior pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade. Anatomical closure will be assessed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and functional outcomes will be evaluated by best-corrected visual acuity over a 3-month follow-up period.

Full-thickness macular hole (MH) is a common sight threatening macular condition with a prevalence of 3.3 per 1000 individuals. Prompt surgical repair of MH is imperative in preventing irreversible vision loss from MH as the majority of patients would experience progressive loss of central vision, often resulting in visual acuity (VA) of 20/200 or worse and the spontaneous closure rate is less than 10%. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling (with or without ILM flap) and gas tamponade, herein referred to as conventional surgery, is the current standard-of-care surgical technique in repairing MH. Recently, a novel surgical technique that omits the need of gas tamponade to repair MH has been proposed, early results from retrospective studies were encouraging. The purpose of this prospective international multi-centre randomised controlled study is to compare the efficacy and safety of two surgical techniques in treating MH: 1. Conventional surgery: PPV with ILM peeling and gas or silicone oil tamponade 2. ILM flap with no gas tamponade surgery: PPV with ILM flap with no gas tamponade