Surgical outcomes of lamellar macular holes treatment using autologous platelet-rich plasma

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the results of surgical treatment of lamellar macular holes (LMH) using autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in comparison with the standard surgical technique. Material and methods. The study included 71 patients (71 eyes) with LMH. Of these, 39 patients (39 eyes) of the control group were operated according to the standard technique. In 32 patients (32 eyes), surgery was supplemented by the application of the autologous PRP on the hole area before the completion of the operation (PRP group). The functional and anatomical results of surgical treatment were compared. Results. There was no statistically significant difference in visual acuity improvement between the groups. In all patients of the PRP group and in the majority of patients in the control group, LMH was closed with restoration of the thickness of the retina in the area of the hole. In the control group, 6 patients had only partial closure of the LMR. In 2 cases, splitting or a smaller retinal defect was preserved. In 4 cases, partial closure of the LMR was combined with the preservation or increase of local thinning of the retina in the center of the foveola. In one of these cases, the residual thickness of the retina was only 28µm, which resembled the picture of a fullthickness macular hole. Conclusion. Surgical treatment of LMH with the use of autologous PRP is an affordable, effective surgical intervention that allows to get more favorable treatment outcomes compared to the standard surgical technique. Key words: lamellar macular hole, platelet-rich plasma, surgical treatment, vitrectomy