Elke Passos

Quantitative analysis of external limiting membrane, ellipsoid zone and interdigitation zone defects in patients with macular holes

PurposeTo investigate the correlation between the length of external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid zone (EZ) and interdigitation zone (IZ) defects and visual prognosis in patients undergoing macular hole (MH) surgery, using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).MethodsThis is a retrospective, consecutive, observational case series study. Fifty-two eyes of 52 patients with primary MH were evaluated. A quantitative analysis of ELM, EZ and IZ defects was performed preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively using SD-OCT. The correlation between pre- and postoperative ELM, EZ and IZ defects and the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was investigated.ResultsThe lengths of ELM, EZ and IZ defects correlated significantly with BCVA in each study period (P < 0.001). Preoperative measures of these band defects were also associated with visual outcomes 3 and 6 months after surgery (P < 0.05). Considering all preoperative parameters, the length of the ELM defect was the factor most strongly correlated with BCVA at 6 months (β = 0.643, P < 0.012). The integrity of the ELM was the only factor significantly associated with BCVA at 6 months (β = 0.427; P = 0.004).ConclusionsThe preoperative length of the ELM defect is the strongest predictor of visual acuity after MH surgery. Postoperative integrity of the ELM is significantly associated with visual restoration after surgical treatment of MH.

Analisador de espessura retiniana (RTA) na avaliação de buraco macular

Objective: To evaluate the Retinal Thickness Analyzer (RTA) findings in eyes with macular hole and compare them to findings of retina and vitreous biomicroscopy, retinography and fluorescein angiography. Methods: The authors studied ten eyes of six patients with the diagnosis of macular hole, using retinal thickness analyzer, retina and vitreous biomicroscopy, retinography and fluorescein angiography. Eight eyes had been examined before any type of treatment, and two, after treatment for macular hole by vitrectomy. Results: In two eyes with the diagnosis of macular hole by clinical examination and other complementary examinations, the media opacities prevented retinal thickness analyzer analysis. The retinal thickness analyzer profile map (optical cut) showed agreement with the clinical findings and the findings by other examinations performed in the eight eyes where they were possible. The topographic map of the two eyes that presented a closed macular hole after surgery, showed normal mean foveal thickness and in the six eyes with macular hole the mean foveal thickness was increased. Conclusion: The retinal thickness analyzer profile map showed evidence of macular hole, gave information about width and depth and proved the closing of the macular hole after surgery. The retinal thickness analyzer topographic map showed normal mean foveal thickness in the two cases of closed macular hole and, surprisingly, increased mean foveal thickness in all six cases with open holes.