MACULAR BUCKLING COMBINED WITH VITRECTOMY AND INVERTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP TECHNIQUE FOR MACULAR HOLES WITH MACULAR RETINOSCHISIS WITHOUT RETINAL DETACHMENT IN HIGH MYOPIA.

Purpose: To investigate the outcomes of macular buckling combined with vitrectomy and inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique for highly myopic full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) with macular retinoschisis.

Methods: Twenty-six eyes of 26 consecutive patients were retrospectively included. Twelve eyes underwent macular buckling alone (buckling group). Fourteen eyes underwent macular buckling and vitrectomy with an inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique (combination group). Patients were followed for at least 9 months. Rates of FTMH closure and macular retinoschisis resolution, best-corrected visual acuity gained at the final visit were evaluated.

Results: The mean follow-up time was 13.00 ± 3.16 months. FTMH closed in six eyes (50%) of the buckling group and 13 eyes (92.86%) of the combination group ( P = 0.026) at the final visit. The macular retinoschisis resolution rate was close between two groups (100% vs. 92.86%; P = 1.000). Both groups achieved significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity (10.42 ± 17.25 and 16.36 ± 10.39 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters; P = 0.014 and P < 0.001). The combination group achieved slightly more best-corrected visual acuity improvement, but the difference fell short of significance ( P =0.312).

Conclusion: Combination of macular buckling and vitrectomy with the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique could achieve a high FTMH closure rate and significant best-corrected visual acuity improvement in FTMH with macular retinoschisis.