Analysis of the progression rate of idiopathic macular holes and the optimal cut-off for baseline minimum linear diameter and base diameter

To determine the cut-off points of minimum linear diameter (MLD) and base diameter (BD) at which the progression rate of idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (MHs) decreases before vitrectomy.

A retrospective study.

We investigated the differences in MLD and BD between baseline and operation days in patients with stages 2, 3, and 4 MHs using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Each difference in OCT parameters was divided by the time interval to calculate the MH progression rates and the cut-off points of MLD and BD.

Overall, 269 patients (282 eyes) were included. It took an average of 36.02 ± 24.69 (7–197) days from baseline to operation. MLD and BD progressed faster in stages 2 and 3 without posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) than in stage 4 with PVD (MLD: p < 0.001 and p = 0.007; BD: p < 0.001 and p = 0.019, respectively). Simple linear regression showed the relationship between baseline MLD and BD, and the progression rate; the progression rate decreased as baseline MLD (p = 0.004) and BD increased ( p < 0.001). For baseline MLD and BD, the cut-off points where the progression rate decreased were 306.0 and 470.0 μm, respectively.

The group without PVD progressed faster than the group with PVD. Moreover, the progression rates were faster in MHs with MLD < 306.0 μm and BD < 470.0 μm. In these patients, vitrectomy without delay is expected to improve the visual prognosis.