Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the role of OCT and OCTA as prognostic tools in the evaluation of the results of idiopathic macular hole surgery from the anatomical and functional points of view.
Methods: This is a review article gathering the conclusions of many articles in the literature discussing this important issue.
Results: The integrity of the external limiting membrane and the ellipsoid zone were found to be the most important prognostic criteria for visual recovery. A U-type shape pattern of closure and a flat closed closure were also associated with a favorable visual gain. On the other hand, retinal displacement following surgery may be responsible for post operative residual metamorphopsia. A foveal hyper-reflective lesion during the healing process and age-related sub foveal deposits are poor prognostic signs for visual improvement. An early post operative appearance of a foveal detachment, outer foveolar defects or signs of a dissociated optic nerve fiber layer were not found to be important signs in the determination of the final post operative visual acuity.
Conclusion: OCT and OCTA proved to be very beneficial in the evaluation of the macular status following successful macular hole (MH) surgery and in linking the anatomic success criteria to the expected functional status.