Internal Limiting Membrane Removal for Traumatic Macular Holes

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a new surgical technique for traumatic macular holes and to provide epidemiological information for such holes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal but without adjuvant use on 17 consecutive eyes. RESULTS: The hole closed in 100% of eyes. Vision improved > or = 2 Snellen lines in 16 eyes (94%). The macula showed additional trauma-related damage in 10 eyes (59%). No permanent complication related to ILM removal was seen. Among 4440 eyes with contusion trauma in the United States Eye Injury Registry, the risk of macular hole formation is 9 times higher in eyes closed than with open globe injury (1.4% versus 0.15%). CONCLUSIONS: Without introducing special risks, removal of the macular ILM appears to be a highly successful surgical option in improving vision in eyes with traumatic macular holes. The majority of eyes benefit from ILM removal, even when additional traumatic macular pathology is present.