Sequential Management of Macular Hole-Associated Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: Case Report and Literature Review

Purpose: To present a sequential surgical approach for macular hole (MH)–associated retinal detachment using preoperative pneumatic retinopexy followed by pars plana vitrectomy, and to review the published literature on surgical strategies for this condition. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 2 patients who developed MH-associated retinal detachment. For the literature review, PubMed was used as the primary reference database to identify relevant studies. Results: Two patients with MH-associated retinal detachment were described. Both underwent pneumatic retinopexy to treat the retinal detachment, followed by pars plana vitrectomy with amniotic membrane plug or internal limiting membrane (ILM) peel, achieving successful MH closure. The literature review included 502 cases of MH-associated retinal detachment. Of these, 65% (333/502) were female and 90% were myopic. Fewer than 2% of patients underwent sequential repair of the retinal detachment and MH. In 7% of cases, laser photocoagulation was performed around the MH following vitrectomy. More than half the eyes underwent conventional ILM peel, with other techniques including ILM peel with insertion into the MH, ILM inverted and draped over or inserted into the MH, or amniotic membrane plug. The overall MH closure rate was 64%, and the initial retinal reattachment rate was 95%. Conclusions: We reviewed 2 cases that underwent a sequential surgical approach for the treatment of MH-associated retinal detachment, converting an emergent retinal detachment into an elective MH case and enhancing the likelihood of hole closure.