Microvascular changes in fovea after pars plana vitrectomy for idiopathic macular hole: an OCT-angiography study

Author: Efstratios Parikakis (Greece)

Co-authors: Loukas Kontomichos, George Batsos, Gianni Theodora, Vasileios Peponis, Dimitrios Karagiannis

Purpose

: To present architectural and microvascular changes after vitrectomy for idiopathic macular hole by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Setting/Venue

: Ophthalmiatreio Eye Hospital of Athens, 2nd Department of Ophthalmology, Retina Department.

Methods

13 patients suffering from idiopathic macular hole underwent vitrectomy and were included in the study. OCTA was conducted before and 6 months after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and pars plana vitrectomy performed by the same vitreoretinal surgeon. Foveal Avascular Zone (FAZ), parafoveal Vessel Density (VD) in superficial and deep capillary plexus and central retinal thickness ( CRT) were evaluated by OCTA preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Contralateral healthy eyes served as controls.

Results

FAZ preoperatively was significantly smaller in eyes with macular hole compared to that of healthy eyes in superficial and deep capillary plexus. 6 months postoperatively, a significant decrease in FAZ was observed, without reaching the levels of the FAZ of fellow eyes. Parafoveal VD was significantly decreased in eyes with macular holes postoperatively. A significant association was observed in changes of parafoveal VD and central retinal thickness before and after vitrectomy.

Conlusions

OCT angiography seems to be a useful tool for showing foveal structural and vascular changes after removal of idiopathic macular hole. In addition to this, there seems to be a strong correlation between those microvascular changes and visual prognosis

Financial Disclosure

no financial relations

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