Full Thickness Macular Hole after Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Research Article

J Ophthalmol & Vis Sci. 2023; 8(3): 1086.

Full Thickness Macular Hole after Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Sverdlichenko I¹; Tayeb S²; You Y3,4; Cruz-Pimentel M²; Yan P2,5,6*

1Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada

2Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada

3Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

4Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Australia

5Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute, University Health Network, Toronto ON, Canada

6Kensington Vision and Research Center, Toronto ON, Canada

*Corresponding author: Peng Yan Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto 27 King’s College Cir, Toronto, ON, Canada Tel: 416-928-1335; Fax: 416-928-5075 Email: pyan@kensingtonhealth.org

Received: August 22, 2023 Accepted: October 03, 2023 Published: October 10, 2023

Abstract

Purpose: While myopia is known to be a risk factor for Macular Hole (MH) formation, there have been no reviews evaluating the association between LASIK procedure and MH development. Our case series and literature review examine the clinical characteristics and visual outcomes of patients who developed MH following LASIK.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed for two patients who developed MH following LASIK. For the literature review, Ovid/MEDLINE was searched for all patients who developed MH following LASIK.

Results: Two patients with history of LASIK procedure presented with unilateral MH. Both patients were only mildly myopic and lacked other risk factors for MH. They both underwent pars plana vitrectomy, Internal Limiting Membrane (ILM) peel with ILM flap draped over and tucked into the macular hole, followed by 20% sulfur hexafluoride tamponade. Both cases had MH closure and improvement in final visual acuity. The literature review included 25 cases and 27 eyes with MH following LASIK. Twenty-four cases were female and myopic, and the mean refraction was -8.64 D. The average duration from LASIK to MH development was 15.3 months. Mean preoperative best corrected visual acuity was Snellen 20/235. Seventy-seven percent (21/27) of eyes underwent vitrectomy, with a MH closure rate of 100% and final visual acuity of Snellen 20/89.

Conclusion: Myopia is a known risk factor for MH formation. However, LASIK procedure may introduce an additional increased risk of MH formation in myopic eyes. Thus, although rarely reported, patients considering LASIK should be counselled on this potential risk.

Keywords: Macular hole; Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis; LASIK; Vitrectomy

Abbreviations: MH: Macular Hole; LASIK: Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis; OD: Right Eye; OS: Left Eye; OCT: Optical Coherence Tomography; BCVA: Best Corrected Visual Acuity; SF6: Sulfur Hexafluoride; ILM: Internal Limiting Membrane; PPV: Pars Plana Vitrectomy; PVD: Posterior Vitreous Detachment

Introduction

Macular Hole (MH) is a vitreoretinal interface disease characterized by a full-thickness neurosensory retinal defect in the center of the macula [1]. There are two types of MHs: idiopathic MH, which is caused by the tangential tractional force that may be exerted by pre-existing epiretinal membrane, or anteroposterior by vitreomacular traction on the fovea; and traumatic MH, usually caused by mechanical blunt injury of the eye. The incidence of developing an idiopathic MH has been reported as 0.02% in some studies, with 80% being unilateral and occurring at a mean age of 62.6 years [2]. Females have a 64% increased risk of developing MH compared to males, after adjusting for confounding factors [2]. MH is also a common complication in pathological myopic eyes with an axial length greater than 26.5mm and/or refraction greater than -6.00 diopters [3].

Laser-Assisted in Situ Ketatomileusis (LASIK) is a common ophthalmologic procedure that has been used for the correction of low to moderate myopia [4]. Vitreoretinal complications including endophthalmitis, retinal tearing and detachment, retinal hemorrhage, and choroidal neovascular membrane have been reported. Various case reports and case series have also identified MH formation occurring following LASIK, in both myopic and non-myopic eyes [5-10]. The potential mechanism for this is likely sudden increase and decrease in the compressional pressure exerted to the vitreous and vitreomacular interface by the suction cup that is placed over the eye during LASIK procedure.

In this study, we report on 2 young patients who developed MH following LASIK procedure for the correction of myopia and an internal limiting membrane tucking technique in the management of MH. Additionally, we provide an overview of literature-documented cases of MH developing after LASIK, describe their presentation, surgical management, and outcomes. We discuss the proposed pathogenesis of MH formation following LASIK procedure.

Materials and Methods

A chart review was completed of two patients who developed MH after LASIK procedure. We recorded data on age, sex, time interval between LASIK procedure and MH formation, ophthalmologic exam findings including dilated fundus exam, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA). We report on surgical procedures and outcomes of these patients. Institutional research ethics board approval was received from the University of Toronto. Informed consent was obtained from the patients for use of their clinical data. This study adheres to the Tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.

For the literature review aspect of this study, we analysed published literature of patients who developed MH after LASIK procedure. Ovid/MEDLINE was searched for all literature containing the key terms macular hole and Laser in Situ Keratomileusis, LASIK. The requirements for inclusion were that the paper was written or translated into English, the patient(s) had a confirmed diagnosis of MH on ophthalmologic exam, and BCVA at time of MH diagnosis and at final follow-up were reported.

Case Report

Case 1

A 38-year-old female was referred to retina service with a four-day history of decreased vision due to newly identified MH. Her ocular history was unremarkable except for bilateral LASIK procedure. The myopia was mild, and she had no other risk factors, including no history of prior trauma or other ocular surgery other than LASIK. OCT confirmed a full-thickness MH in the right eye (OD) with intact posterior hyaloid (Figure 1). Visual acuity was Snellen 20/100 OD. The patient underwent uncomplicated Pars Plana Vitrectomy (PPV), Internal Limiting Membrane (ILM) peel with temporally hinged inverted ILM flap draped over the MH and gently tucked into the macular hole using the tip of the ILM forceps followed by 20% sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tamponade. Visual acuity achieved Snellen 20/60 OD at two weeks postop. One month postoperatively, OCT confirmed the successful anatomical closure of the MH. Five months later at her last follow-up appointment, visual acuity improved to Snellen 20/30 OD with correction.