Surgical treatment of macular holes with and without the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma.

purposeTo compare the results of treatment of idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (MHs) with and without the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma (APRP).

methodsThis partially retrospective study included 152 patients (152 eyes) with MHs operated in the years 2010-2014 using conventional technology with internal limiting membrane peeling (control group) and 62 patients (62 eyes), operated by the same surgeons in 2015-2017 with additional application of APRP on MH (platelet group). Pre and postoperative best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were recorded, and retinal microstructure was studied using optical coherence tomography. Thirty-seven patients in the platelet group and 80 controls were followed for at least 12 months (for visual outcomes 15 controls were followed for 15-24 months). The data of 72 controls (72 eyes) were analyzed retrospectively.

resultsThe minimum diameter of the MH in the platelet group was larger than in controls: 454 ± 186 vsersus 381 ± 148 μm (P = 0.003). Despite this, all MHs in the platelet group were closed, while in the control group 11 holes (7.2%) remained open (P = 0.036). The final mean BCVA, standardized by the minimum diameter of the macular hole, was higher in the platelet group by 3.9 ETDRS letters (P = 0.012). After surgery with APRP, foveal hyperreflective lesion (presumably glial proliferation) was found, which persisted in most large MHs, but gradually disappeared in small and most medium MHs.

conclusionThe use of APRP significantly improves the anatomical and functional results of treatment of idiopathic MHs. In very large MHs, APRP presumably enhances glial proliferation, which ensures their closure.