The effect of internal limiting membrane peeling to normal retinal function evaluated by microperimetry-3
Abstract Background To evaluate the effect of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling to the function of retina surrounding macular holes (MH) by microperimetry-3(MP-3). Methods This is a prospective, cohort study which included 44 eyes of 44 patients with MHs who were treated by 23-gauge 3-port pars plana vitrectomy and ILM peeling with air tamponade. Color fundus photography, retinal optical coherence tomography and MP-3 were used 1 week before and 1, 4 months after operation. In MP-3 examination, a customized follow-up pattern with 45 spots in the central 8° visual field was used. The spots corresponding to the retina surrounding macular holes were selected for comparison of pre- and post-operative function. Results All eyes had achieved an anatomical success at the last follow-up. BCVA (logMAR) significantly improved both in 1 and 4 months after surgery (1.06±0.40 versus 0.53±0.30 and 0.31±0.24, P<0.01). The mean retinal sensitivity (MRS) (in dB) of the retina surrounding macular hole significantly increased 1 and 4 months after ILM peeling: pre-operative 23.46±3.01 dB versus post-operative 26.25±2.31 dB (u=-4.88, P<0.01) in 1 month and 27.14±2.45 dB (t=-6.29, P<0.01) in 4 months. Patients with increased MRS are significantly younger than patients with deceased MRS (59.72±3.22 years versus 65.60±8.19 years, P<0.01). After ILM peeling, the increasing extent of MRS was significantly higher in inferior and nasal retina than that in superior and temporal retina both in 1 and 4 months (P<0.05). Conclusion ILM peeling in normal retina will not decrease the retinal function in a short-term after surgery.