Descemet’s membrane transplantation for the treatment of recurrent high myopic macular hole associated with retinal detachment

Purpose

To report the efficacy of Descemet’s Membrane (DM) transplantation over the macular hole in patients with recurrent high myopic macular hole (HMMH) associated with retinal detachment (RD).

Methods

Six eyes of six patients with wide posterior staphyloma including MH and recurrent HMMH associated with RD were included to this retrospective study. All patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy and DM obtained from eye bank was placed over the macular hole during the surgery. Silicone oil endotamponade was used as endotamponade and removed within 6 months following surgery. Pre-operative and post-operative ophthalmologic examination and optical coherence tomography findings were recorded.

Results

The mean follow-up time was 18.53 ± 7.36 months. Macular hole closure was achieved in all patients (100%). Best-corrected visual acuity was improved from 1.51 ± 0.55 logMAR to 1.08 ± 0.50 logMAR (p = 0.043). No complications due to surgery or DM during follow-up. No DM dislocation or hole re-opening occurred after surgery.

Conclusion

DM transplantation during vitrectomy may be an effective treatment for the recurrent HMMH associated with RD.

Key messages

What is known

Various surgical techniques have been tried for recurrent high myopic macular hole associated with retinal detachment, but satisfactory anatomical and functional success rates have still not been achieved.

What is new

The study demonstrates that Descemet’s membrane transplantation is a safe and effective option for treating recurrent high myopic macular hole associated with retinal detachment. This is a novel technique that may overcome the limitations of existing approaches.

The findings suggest that Descemet’s membrane transplantation could become a promising addition to the surgical options for recurrent high myopic macular hole associated with retinal detachment.