Evaluation of macular holes by optical coherence tomography in Chinese patients

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic significance of optical coherence tomography for macular holes.

Materials and methods: From October 1999 to February 2000, forty six eyes of 40 patients with clinically diagnosed or suspected macular holes had optical coherence tomography performed via dilated pupils in both eyes. All images were measured and analyzed.

Results: The optical coherence tomography technique showed lamellar macular holes in 11 eyes of 9 patients with partial neural epithelium defect. The average remaining retinal thickness of the macular area was 108 mm (standard deviation, 42.5 mm). Thirty eyes of 27 patients had full-thickness macular holes. The average diameter of the holes was 611 mm (standard deviation, 185.1 mm). The optical coherence tomography technique showed that the neural epithelium disappeared completely in full-thickness macular holes and the average thickness of the retina around the holes increased to 388.4 ± 109.8 mm with the presence of non-reflective cavities. The macular holes closed in 5 eyes after vitrectomy and gas tamponade. The normal foveal curve reappeared after surgery. Pseudoholes were present in the remaining 5 eyes of 4 patients.

Conclusion: Optical coherence tomography is a non- contact, non-invasive, and high-resolution technique that is helpful in the diagnosis and monitoring of macular holes.