[Vitreoretinal tomography and foveolar traction in macular hole development and macular pseudohole].

OBJECT: To clarify the morphologic features and foveolar traction in macular hole development and macular pseudohole.

METHODS

The vitreoretinal tomography of idiopathic macular holes and macular pseudoholes was observed with optical coherence tomography (OCT).

RESULTS

In stage 1 and 2, foveolar intraretinal splitting was evident. The posterior hyaloid membrane was detected in 7 of 10 eyes with stage 1 and 2 holes. Dome-shaped vitreoretinal separation was seen in 6 of 7 eyes in which the posterior hyaloid membranes were detected. A complete posterior vitreous detachment was seen around a stage 3 hole. In the macular pseudohole with preretinal membrane, there was anterior and central displacement of the inner retina in the perifoveal region, resulting in a U-shaped deformation of the macular lesion. In contrast, the structure of the central fovea was virtually intact.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the OCT findings, the intraretinal splitting and the cyst formation are important features in the development of a macular hole. The dome-shaped vitreoretinal separation in the early stages of macular holes suggests that the posterior hyaloid membrane may not be taut but slack, and would not cause a tractional force continuously even in early-stage macular holes.