MACULAR HOLE CLOSURE WITH TRIAMCINOLONE-ASSISTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING

Purpose: To evaluate the anatomic and visual outcomes of patients treated with triamcinolone-assisted internal membrane peeling for macular hole. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 37 consecutive cases done by a single vitreoretinal surgeon for idiopathic macular hole. All surgery involved triamcinolone-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling. All patients had at least 3-month follow-up. Main outcome measures included anatomic macular hole closure, visual acuity, and operative complications. Results: Mean follow-up was 11 months (range, 3-56 months). Anatomic macular hole closure was achieved in 36 eyes (97%). Mean overall preoperative visual acuity was 20/150 and final acuity was 20/63 (P < 0.0001). Nineteen eyes (51%) had best corrected visual acuity at most recent postoperative visit of >= 20/50. There were no postoperative complications. Conclusions: Triamcinolone-assisted internal limiting membrane peel is an effective surgical technique in macular hole surgery. Use of triamcinolone acetonide did not adversely impact macular hole closure. Anatomic closure rates and visual outcomes compared favorably with published literature on macular hole surgery. RETINA 28:1276-1279, 2008