To observe the clinical effects of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with internal limiting membrane peeling (ILMP) for macular hole (MH) and macular retinoschisis in high myopic eyes, and to analyze factors affecting the MH closure rate.

This is a retrospective case study. 21 high myopic patients (22 eyes) with MH and macular retinoschisis were enrolled in this study. All eyes were examined for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, slit lamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscope, A and/or B-scan ultrasound, optical coherence tomography and visual electrophysiological examination. The BCVA was ranged from finger counting to 0.2. The axial length (AL) was ranged from 26.00 to 31.00 mm, with an average of 27.47 mm. Among 22 eyes, AL was between 26.00 mm to 27.00 mm in 9 eyes, 27.10 mm to 28.00 mm in 5 eyes, 28.10 mm to 29.00 mm in 3 eyes, 29.10 mm to 30.00 mm in 3 eyes, and longer than 30.00 mm in 2 eyes. The diameter of MH was ranged from 227 µm to 597 µm and with an average of 432 µm. Among them, the minimum diameter was between 200 µm to 400 µm in 4 eyes, 401 µm to 450 µm in 13 eyes, 451 µm to 500 µm in 3 eyes, 501 µm to 600 µm in 2 eyes. All the eyes were treated with PPV combined with ILMP surgery. The average follow-up time was 17 months after surgery. The efficacy was determined at the final follow up, including the MH closure, the state of macular retinoschisis and the BCVA. MH closure rate with different MH diameters and different AL were compared and analyzed.

During the final follow- up, MH were fully closed in 17 eyes (77.3%), bridge-closed in 4 eyes (18.2%) and not closed in 1 eye (4.5%). Retinoschisis was resolved in 19 eyes (86.4%), partially resolved in 2 eyes (9.1%) and not changed in 1 eye (4.4%). MH with smaller diameter had higher MH closure rate (χ²=12.036, P=0.032). MH with longer AL had lower MH closure rate (χ²=16.095, P=0.003).The final BCVA was ranged from finger counting to 0.25. Among 22 eyes, BCVA or metamorphopsia were improved in 9 eyes (40.9%), stable in 8 eyes (36.4%). BCVA was reduced and metamorphopsia was more severe in 5 eyes (22.7%).

PPV combined with ILMP is a safe and effective surgical treatment for MH (with minimum diameter ≤600 μm) and macular retinoschisis in high myopic eyes. After surgery, MH was closed and retinoschisis was resolved in most patients. The major factors affect the MH closure were the minimum diameter of MH and AL.

Retinal perforations/surgery; Retinoschisis/surgery; Myopia, degenerative/ complications; Vitrectomy