Posterior pole retinotomy for treatment of recurrent macular hole retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes: a pilot study

Background To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of posterior pole retinotomy to treat recurrent macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) in highly myopic patients. Methods We performed a retrospective study and reviewed the medical records in our hospital between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. Highly myopic patients who received posterior pole retinotomy with silicone oil tamponade for their recurrent MHRD after pars plana vitrectomy were included in the analysis. Postoperative retinal reattachment, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), macular hole closure, and complications were evaluated. Results There were 11 patients (11 eyes) included in this study. All retinas were reattached. Silicone oil was successfully removed from all eyes 1.5–3 months after the surgery. Macular holes were completely closed in three eyes and remained flat open in eight eyes. The BCVA of all eyes improved significantly at 12 months after surgery (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution, pre vs. postoperatively, 1.87 ± 0.44 vs. 1.15 ± 0.24, P < 0.05). None of the patients had complications such as endophthalmitis, fundus hemorrhage, retinal redetachment, and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Conclusion Posterior pole retinotomy is a safe and effective surgery to treat recurrent MHRD after pars plana vitrectomy in highly myopic patients.