Internal limiting membrane flap technique in macular hole surgery

Abstract

Vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling is popular for the treatment of macular hole (MH). However, the improvements of MH closure rate and postoperative visual acuity are not satisfactory especially in large and refractory MHs. Currently, the ILM flap technique has gradually been applied for the treatment of MH and achieved high MH closure rate. The ILM flap technique has many variations, including the difference of the size, shape, number, and manner in which the flaps put on the MHs. The ILM flap technique also has some auxiliary means including perfluoro-n-octane (PFO), dye, autologous blood and adhesive viscoelastics. There is controversy about the effects between several technique variations of ILM flap, and it needs to be explored in the future.