Comparison of Idiopathic Macular Hole Interventions Using Frequency Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Liu, Miao; Jin, Yu; Li, Liu; Yuan, Fangxiu; Xu, Yueyuan

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7749605

Disease Markers

On this page

Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Conclusion Data Availability Conflicts of Interest References Copyright Related Articles

Special Issue

Imaging Disease Markers as a Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Educational Tool 2022

View this Special Issue

Research Article | Open Access

Volume 2022 | Article ID 7749605 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7749605

Comparison of Idiopathic Macular Hole Interventions Using Frequency Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography

Miao Liu,¹Yu Jin,¹Liu Li,¹Fangxiu Yuan,¹and Yueyuan Xu¹

Academic Editor: Zhongjie Shi

Received21 Apr 2022

Revised03 Jul 2022

Accepted23 Jul 2022

Published13 Aug 2022

Abstract

Objective. We aimed to determine the efficacy of different idiopathic macular hole treatment methods to improve recovery time and patient outcomes using Frequency Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA). Methods. This retrospective study included patients with idiopathic macular hole who were admitted to our hospital between 1st January 2019 and 31st October 2021. The control group was treated with internal limiting membrane tamponade, and the study group was treated with clamshell therapy. Treatment conditions (internal limiting membrane treatment duration and hole closure rate), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery, OCTA measurements, and SD-OCT were assessed. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL), and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) thicknesses were also analyzed. Results. The treatment time and hole closure rate of the internal limiting membrane in the study group were higher than those in the control group. The curative effect of the study group was better than that of the control group. The postoperative DCP blood vessel density in both groups was higher than that before operation, and the study group was higher than the control group. The FAZ area and circumference were lower than those before surgery, and the study group was lower than the control group. At 3 months after operation, the thickness of DIOA, nasal temporal RNFL, and GCL were decreased in both groups, and the observed values in the study group were lower than those in the control group. At 3-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in RPE thickness between the two groups. Conclusion. Flip and cover therapy is the most effective treatment. SD-OCT and OCTA provide an objective basis for clinical intervention by comparing the effects of different procedures on the retinal condition of patients.

1. Introduction

Idiopathic macular hole refers to a macular hole spontaneously occurring for reasons other than fundus disease, resulting in severe damage to patients’ central vision [1]. Removing the vitreous cortex when treating idiopathic macular hole and peeling the internal boundary membrane near the hole eliminates horizontal traction on the hole margin, resulting in closure of the hole. However, among those with refractory macular hole (large diameter hole and high myopia), patients with low hole closure rates are prone to irregular closure morphology, which affects visual function recovery [2, 3]. Therefore, treating idiopathic macular hole safely and effectively is of great importance.

Internal limiting membrane tamponade and partial stripping of the internal limiting membrane after the remaining internal limiting membrane flip cover are commonly used in clinical improvement, which can promote cell proliferation and reconstruction of foveal structure, avoid contact with the vitreous lumen material of the exposed outer retina, and improve the rate and morphology of hiatus closure [4, 5]. Frequency Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) and Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) can determine the fine structure of macular area before and after the operation in patients with idiopathic macular hole so as to provide a reference basis to evaluate the effects of the operation [6, 7].

Based on the abovementioned facts, we attempted to analyze and discuss the application value of SD-OCT and OCTA to evaluate the effect of different idiopathic macular hole operation methods.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Baseline Data

This retrospective study included the patients with idiopathic macular hole who were admitted to our hospital between 1st January 2019 and 31st October 2021. The protocol of this study was approved by the ethical committee of the first hospital of Nanchang.

2.2. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) idiopathic macular hole was diagnosed using slit lamp enteroscopy and three mirror gonioscopy before the procedure, (2) idiopathic macular hole in only one eye, (3) idiopathic macular hole stages II-IV, and (4) informed consent of patients and their families. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) diabetic retinopathy, (2) cataract nucleus above grade IV, (3) age-related macular degeneration, (4) retinal detachment, (5) history of fundus surgery, and (6) history of ocular trauma.

2.3. Methods

Patients in both groups underwent standard three-port, planar vitrectomy, and filling with disinfected air or silicone oil. After removing the central visual axis vitreous via vitrectomy, artificial posterior vitreous detachment was performed to ensure the complete removal of the posterior vitreous cortex. Bright blue staining showed the morphology of the internal limiting membrane. The internal limiting membrane was moved approximately 1 PD away from the fovea, and the stripping range extended to ≥2 PD. In the study group, one side of the internal limiting membrane was removed while the remaining side of the internal limiting membrane was used to cover the hole. In the control group, the inner limiting membrane of the remaining annular fovea was released and used to fill the fissure. If the internal limiting membrane is not easily fixed in the vitreous cavity due to its high mobility after release, a small amount of heavy water should be used to flatten it. After gas-liquid exchange, the vitreous cavity was filled with intraocular gas or silicone oil.

2.4. Observation Indexes

The following parameters were determined in this study: (1) treatment status (internal limiting membrane treatment time, hole closure rate), (2) best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) observed before and after surgery, (3) preoperative and postoperative results of density, area, and circumference of OCTA superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) using OCT (RS-3000 Advance, NIDEK) to measure foveal avascularity, and (4) SD-OCT measurement results before and after surgery (photoreceptor inner and outer ganglion deletion zone (DIOA), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) (horizontal diameter) thickness) were obtained using SD-OCT (Topcon version 3.21) [8, 9].

2.5. Statistical Methods

The SPSS 21.0 software (IBM, Chicago, USA) was used to analyze data. Measurement data was expressed as and was evaluated using the -test, while enumeration data was expressed as (%) and analyzed using the test. The two-sided indicated a statistically significant difference.

3. Results

3.1. Treatment Conditions

A total of 94 patients were included in this study. The patients’ gender distribution, age, body mass index, location, hiatus diameter, and stage in each group were similar, as shown in Table 1. The duration of treatment of the internal limiting membrane and hiatus closure rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (), as shown in Table 2.

3.2. Best Corrected Visual Acuity

The BCVA between the two groups did not differ significantly before the procedure (), while the BCVA of both groups was improved at 1 month and 3 months after the operation compared to that before the operation. The study group exhibited better outcomes than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (), as shown in Table 3.

3.3. OCTA Measurement Results

The groups did not differ significantly in terms of SCP and DCP vascular density, FAZ area, or circumference before the procedure (). After the operation, the DCP vascular density in both was higher than that observed before the procedure. That of the study group was higher than that of the control group. The area and circumference of FAZ were lower than that observed before surgery, and that of the study group was lower than that of the control group (). SCP vascular density did not differ significantly between the two groups (), as shown in Table 4.

3.4. SD-OCT Measurement Results

The DIOA, nasal and temporal RNFL, GCL, and RPE thickness measurements did not differ significantly between the two groups before their respective procedures (). The DIOA, nasal and temporal RNFL, and GCL thickness had decreased three months after surgery in both groups, and the measurements of the study group were lower than those of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (). No significant difference in RPE thickness was observed between the two groups at a three-month follow-up (), as shown in Table 5.

4. Discussion

Vitreous dissection of the internal membrane has become the standard of treatment among cases of idiopathic macular hole. Most idiopathic macular holes heal well, and visual function may improve due to internal boundary membrane dissection alone [10]. However, for holes with a large diameter (>600 μm) and refractory macular holes with high myopia, the effect of internal boundary membrane stripping on the healing state of the hole and the improvement of visual acuity is not satisfactory [11]. Blindly expanding the scope of inner boundary membrane stripping and minimizing the horizontal traction of the hole are not the best means to treat these cases, as this can easily result in a large portion of the retina being exposed (lack of inner boundary membrane coverage). In addition, according to a recent anatomical study, these methods can cause Müller cell injury, optic nerve fiber layer detachment, temporal retinal thinning, macular displacement, and other complications [12, 13]. Meanwhile, vertical vitreous traction of the pore margin causes retinal structural damage, a large amount of contact between the outer retina and vitreous lumen materials, and edema of the pore margin, resulting in the apoptosis of Müller cells, especially in patients with refractory macular hole [14]. In China, which has a large population base and an increased incidence of high myopia, there are several patients with refractory macular hole. Therefore, improving the outcomes of inner boundary membrane stripping is vital.

Internal limiting membrane tamponade, as well as overturning and covering, was recently proposed as methods to improve internal limiting membrane dissection, which can prevent some of the adverse consequences of removing the internal limiting membrane. These are also effective means to treat refractory macular hole [15, 16]. Intermedial membrane tamponation uses the remnants of the intermedial membrane as a scaffold to induce retinal glial cells to enter the macular foramen and stimulate photoreceptor cell migration and Müller cell proliferation, thereby strengthening hiatus closure [17]. The holes were closed during the operation to prevent the outer retina from making contact with the filling material in the vitreous cavity, which may inhibit the hydration of retinal tissue, maximize the preservation of Müller cells in the retina around the holes, increase the elasticity of the inner retina, promote the centripetal movement of the retina and active reconstruction of the fovea structure, and improve visual function [18, 19]. Our results indicated that the BCVA and the closure rate of hiatus in the study group were higher than those of the control group when measured 1 and 3 months after the operation. The differences were statistically significant (), indicating that overturning and coverage can improve the visual function of patients with idiopathic macular hole more effectively and improve the hole closure rate. Gaber et al. [20] also found that the hiatus closure rate was higher than that of patients with internal boundary membrane tamponade, but the improvement of visual function was similar between patients who underwent the two methods. This study differed in that the recovery of visual function was related to the degree of retinal choroid atrophy and the time of existence of the hiatus, which varies greatly. However, the treatment time of the internal boundary membrane during the reversal and overlay was long, which is due to the complicated nature of reversal and overlay and the increased difficulty of the operation.

In the present study, OCTA was used to compare measurements of the FAZ area, circumference, and retinal circulation in the macular area before and after the operation. The area and circumference of FAZ in the study group were lower than those of the control group 3 months after the operation (). This may be because the removal of the inner boundary membrane improved retinal surface flexibility and the peripore tissues were concentrated in the fovea. Meanwhile, the macular tissue structure recovered after the operation, and the recovery effect of overlay improved. In patients with idiopathic macular hole, stratified cysts surround the hiatus, and DCP is mainly located between the inner and outer plexus layers. The cysts in this layer are large, elongated, and radiating and exhibit reduced vascular density. Our data showed that the vascular density of DCP in the two groups was higher 3 months after the operation than that before the operation, because the cystic cavity around the macular hole disappeared after operation and the blood flow density increased. Moreover, the vascular density of DCP in the study group was higher than that in the control group, which may be related to better retinal recovery after turnover covering.

SD-OCT is a recently developed technology. The 10-layer retinal structure can clearly be identified due to its high resolution; thus, it can detect retinal and macular disease at a sensitivity level similar to that of histopathology. The image can also be taken quickly to avoid the artifact of eye movement [21]. The integrity of the IS/OS layer is an important indicator of photoreceptors’ integrity [22]. It is an objective and repeatable index that measures the maximum DIOA value between the breakpoints of IS/OS connection lines. The present study demonstrated that DIOA had decreased significantly in both groups 3 months after the surgery and that the values of the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (), suggesting that overlaying could mitigate the damage to the IS/OS layer more effectively in patients with idiopathic macular hole. This is because roll-over coverage results in the maximal preservation of Müller cells in the retina, promotes hiatus closure, treats retinal edema, and thus mitigates the IS/OS layer damage more effectively. Retinal ganglion cells are the most vulnerable to retinal ischemia and inflammation. The data of the present study showed that both groups’ nasal and temporal RNFL and GCL thickness decreased significantly 3 months after the operation, and the values observed in the study group were lower than those of the control group (); therefore, flip and cover therapy is a better treatment for retinal edema.

5. Conclusion

Flip and cover therapy has a high application value in the treatment of idiopathic macular hole, and the retinal recovery and hole closure rates in the study group were better than those observed in the control group. SD-OCT and OCTA examination can elucidate the effect of different operations on the patients’ retinal condition to provide an objective reference basis to plan a clinical intervention.

Data Availability

Data is available upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts to declare.

References

F. Morescalchi, C. Costagliola, E. Gambicorti, S. Duse, M. R. Romano, and F. Semeraro, “Controversies over the role of internal limiting membrane peeling during vitrectomy in macular hole surgery,” Survey of Ophthalmology, vol. 62, article 27491476, pp. 58–69, 2017.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
F. Schaub, P. Enders, P. Scholz, P. S. Müther, S. Fauser, and B. Kirchhof, “Anterior chamber aqueous flare is not a predictor for surgical closure of full-thickness idiopathic macular holes,” European Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 30, pp. 1127–1134, 2020.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
S. Pasu, L. Bell, Z. Zenasni et al., “Facedown positioning following surgery for large full-thickness macular hole: a multicenter randomized clinical trial,” JAMA Ophthalmology, vol. 138, pp. 725–730, 2020.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
Y. Liu, C. Wu, Y. Wang et al., “Risk factors for glial cell proliferation after idiopathic macular hole repair with internal limiting membrane flap,” BMC Ophthalmology, vol. 19, p. 264, 2019.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
Y. Wang, X. Liang, M. Gao, J. Liu, L. Liu, and W. Liu, “Vision-related quality of life after pars plana vitrectomy with or without combined cataract surgery for idiopathic macular hole patients,” International Ophthalmology, vol. 39, pp. 2775–2783, 2019.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
T. Wilczyński, A. Heinke, A. Niedzielska-Krycia, D. Jorg, and K. Michalska-Małecka, “Optical coherence tomography angiography features in patients with idiopathic full-thickness macular hole, before and after surgical treatment,” Clinical Interventions in Aging, vol. 14, pp. 505–514, 2019.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
Y. Teng, M. Yu, Y. Wang, X. Liu, Q. You, and W. Liu, “OCT angiography quantifying choriocapillary circulation in idiopathic macular hole before and after surgery,” Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, vol. 255, pp. 893–902, 2017.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
N. Lois, J. Burr, J. Norrie et al., “Internal limiting membrane peeling versus no peeling for idiopathic full-thickness macular hole: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial,” Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 1586–1592, 2011.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
M. Nagpal, P. Chaudhary, S. Wachasundar, A. Eltayib, and A. Raihan, “Management of recurrent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment,” Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 66, no. 12, pp. 1763–1771, 2018.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
H. Ra and W. K. Lee, “Efficacy of the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique with perfluorocarbon liquid-mediated selective staining for large macular hole repair,” Current Eye Research, vol. 44, pp. 53–59, 2019.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
J. Pieczynski, P. Kuklo, and A. Grzybowski, “Pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for primary and secondary macular hole closure: is it still a useful procedure,” European Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 28, pp. 503–514, 2018.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
A. M. Elhusseiny, S. G. Schwartz, H. W. Flynn Jr., and W. E. Smiddy, “Long-term outcomes after macular hole surgery,” Ophthalmology Retina, vol. 4, pp. 369–376, 2020.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
D. Dalan, D. Jaishankar, A. Madhu, K. Mani, and D. Ratra, “Macular function assessment by multifocal electroretinogram and microperimetry in macular hole and correlation with visual acuity,” Nepalese Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 12, pp. 7–16, 2020.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
T. Rossi, A. Gelso, C. Costagliola et al., “Macular hole closure patterns associated with different internal limiting membrane flap techniques,” Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, vol. 255, pp. 1073–1078, 2017.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
Y. Yao, J. Qu, C. Dong et al., “The impact of extent of internal limiting membrane peeling on anatomical outcomes of macular hole surgery: results of a 54-week randomized clinical trial,” Acta Ophthalmologica, vol. 97, pp. 303–312, 2019.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
G. Chen, R. Tzekov, F. Jiang, S. Mao, Y. Tong, and W. Li, “Inverted ILM flap technique versus conventional ILM peeling for idiopathic large macular holes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials,” PLoS One, vol. 15, article e0236431, 2020.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
R. W. Essex, A. P. Hunyor, M. Moreno-Betancur et al., “The visual outcomes of macular hole surgery: a registry-based study by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists,” Ophthalmology Retina, vol. 2, pp. 1143–1151, 2018.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
Y. P. Yu, X. D. Liang, Z. Y. Wang, J. Wang, B. Y. Qi, and W. Liu, “Correlation between diameter and primary closure rate by internal limiting membrane peeling and air tamponade in large idiopathic macular holes,” [Zhonghua yan ke za Zhi] Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology, vol. 55, pp. 739–746, 2019.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
S. Cillino, M. Castellucci, G. Cillino et al., “Infracyanine green vs. brilliant blue G in inverted flap surgery for large macular holes: a long-term swept-source OCT analysis,” Medicina (Kaunas), vol. 56, no. 1, p. 43, 2020.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
R. Gaber, Q. S. You, I. K. Muftuoglu, M. Alam, F. F. Tsai, and N. Mendoza, “Freeman WR. Characteristics of epiretinal membrane remnant edge by optical coherence tomography after pars plana vitrectomy,” Retina, vol. 37, pp. 2078–2083, 2017.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
M. Inoue, Y. Itoh, T. Koto, H. Y. Kurimori, and A. Hirakata, “Intraoperative OCT findings may predict postoperative visual outcome in eyes with idiopathic macular hole,” Ophthalmology Retina, vol. 3, pp. 962–970, 2019.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
O. Brasil, M. Kawamuro, D. P. Marinho et al., “Optical coherence tomography angiography using the black-and-white pixel binarization histogram software: a new technique for evaluating healing of macular holes in two surgical techniques,” International Journal of Retina and Vitreous, vol. 6, p. 25, 2020.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar

Copyright

Copyright © 2022 Miao Liu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

PDF Download Citation

Download other formats

Order printed copies

Views

192

Downloads

431

Citations