Correlation of visual recovery and presence of photoreceptor inner/outer segment junction in optical coherence images after successful macular hole repair

Purpose: To determine the relationship between the postoperative visual acuity (VA) and the presence of a photoreceptor inner segment (IS) and outer segment (OS) junction (IS/OS) in optical coherence tomographic (OCT) images after macular hole (MH) surgery. Methods: Twenty-three eyes of 23 cases of idiopathic MH treated by vitrectomy were studied. The postoperative VA and OCT3 images of the fovea at 1, 3, and 6 months were examined. The relationship between the presence of the IS/OS junction and the visual acuity was studied. Results: All MHs were successfully closed. The IS/OS junction appeared as a distinct, highly reflective line just vitread to the retinal pigment epithelial layer in the postoperative OCT3 images. A normal IS/OS junction was detected postoperatively in one eye at 1 month, three eyes at 3 months, and seven eyes at 6 months. The VA was significantly better in eyes in which a normal IS/OS junction was detected than in those not detected at 3 and 6 months postoperatively (P = 0.046 and P = 0.040, respectively). Conclusion: The normal IS/OS junction observed in OCT3 images is associated with good visual recovery after MH closure. The presence of normal IS/OS junction may be important for visual recovery after MH repair.