Background
The optical coherence tomography (OCT) and clinical characteristics of traumatic macular holes (TMHs) can be compared to those
of idiopathic macular holes (IMHs) to gain insights into the pathogenesis of both.
Methods
The demographic data and visual acuity of 73 consecutive patients with unilateral, full-thickness TMHs and 182 consecutive
patients with idiopathic IMHs were recorded. All patients with TMH and 60 patients with IMH underwent OCT scanning and quantitative
measurements. The apical and basal diameters and marginal retinal thicknesses were recorded for each hole. The hole areas
and eccentricities were calculated. These parameters were compared between the two types of macular holes, and correlated
with visual acuity.
Results
Compared to IMHs, TMHs were generally thinner, larger at the base, less circular, and were associated with worse vision. Vitreous
detachment was more commonly associated with IMHs than TMHs. Both IMHs and TMHs were wider horizontally than vertically. Visual
acuity was negatively correlated with the size of IMHs, but not with any tomographic parameters in TMHs.
Conclusion
The tomographic and clinical findings associated with TMHs and IMHs provide useful insights into the pathogenesis of these
two types of macular holes.
Keywords Optical coherence tomography - Traumatic macular holes - Idiopathic macular holes
Supported by Grant 30901648 from National Natural Science Foundation of China.
Conflict of interest
Dr. Sadda is a co-inventor of Doheny intellectual property related to optical coherence tomography that has been licensed
by Topcon Medical Systems, and is a consultant for Heidelberg Engineering. He also receives research support from Carl Zeiss
Meditec and Optovue Inc.