PERFLUOROCARBON LIQUID-ASSISTED INVERTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP TECHNIQUE VERSUS INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING FOR HIGHLY MYOPIC MACULAR HOLE RETINAL DETACHMENT

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of a modified perfluorocarbon liquid-assisted inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) flap technique with the standard ILM peeling for the treatment of macular hole retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes. Methods: This was a retrospective, consecutive, nonrandomized comparative study. Forty-two macular hole retinal detachment eyes of 42 patients were included into either a perfluorocarbon liquid-assisted inverted ILM flap technique group (n = 22, inverted group) or standard ILM removal group (n = 20, peeling group). Outcomes measured were macular hole closure, retinal reattachment, and best-corrected visual acuity at least 6 months after surgery. Results: Macular hole closure was achieved in 20 eyes (90.9%) in the inverted group and in eight eyes (40%) in the peeling group (P < 0.01). Reattachment rates were 100% in the inverted group and 95% in the peeling group (P = 0.476). The mean best-corrected visual acuity improvement from baseline was 27.4 +/- 19.9 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters in the inverted group while the best-corrected visual acuity improvement was 13.6 +/- 22.5 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters in the peeling group (P = 0.044). Conclusion: The perfluorocarbon liquid-assisted inverted ILM flap technique was effective in sealing the macular hole, reattaching retina, and improving visual function postoperatively in highly myopic macular hole retinal detachment.