CORRELATIONS BETWEEN SUSPENDED HYPERREFLECTIVE MATERIAL WITH THE MACULAR MICROSTRUCTURE AND SPONTANEOUS CLOSURE OF FULL-THICKNESS MACULAR HOLES

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the characteristics of spontaneously closed full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs) and to seek potential predictors for the spontaneous closure of FTMHs. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the clinical data and optical coherence tomography images were reviewed from 19 eyes with spontaneously closed FTMHs (spontaneous closure group) and 37 control eyes with FTMHs that were delayed for nonmedical reasons, but ultimately required surgery (control group). The term, suspended hyperreflective material, was defined as hyperreflective material suspended within the FTMHs observed via optical coherence tomography; the presence of suspended hyperreflective material was evaluated in these eyes. Results: The median time from diagnosis to spontaneous closure of the FTMHs was 13.7 (range, 2.4–32.4) weeks in the spontaneous closure group. The mean diameter of FTMHs in the spontaneous closure group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (191.68 ± 70.57 vs. 401.68 ± 162.19 µm, P < 0.0001). The incidence of vitreomacular traction was higher in the spontaneous closure group compared with the control group (9/19 vs. 5/37, P = 0.009, odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 5.76 [1.56–21.21]); in seven of the nine eyes with vitreomacular traction from the spontaneous closure group, spontaneous vitreomacular traction separation and subsequent FTMH closure was observed. Suspended hyperreflective material was observed in nine eyes (47%) from the spontaneous closure group and three eyes (8%) from the control group (P = 0.001, odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 10.20 [2.31‒45.02]). Conclusion: Smaller diameters, vitreomacular traction, and presence of suspended hyperreflective material may be suggestive of the potential for spontaneous closure of FTMHs.