Background: To investigate the cavity of lamellar macular holes (LMH-CV) by using volumetric analysis of optical coherence tomography images.
Methods: Single-center, retrospective, observational case series. The volume of the LMH-CV and epiretinal proliferation was determined. Best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, maximum horizontal diameter and minimum horizontal diameter, and the presence of foveal bump and ellipsoid zone defect were noted.
Results: Forty-nine eyes of 46 patients (20 women) were included in the baseline analysis. The natural course group consisted of 25 patients (27 eyes) with a mean follow-up of 19.2 ± 15.7 months. The volume of LMH-CV was found to be a predictive factor for baseline best-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.038, ß-coefficient = 0.338, 95% CI: 0.275-8.893). Whereas no significant change at the last visit was observed in central macular thickness, minimum horizontal diameter, and maximum horizontal diameter, the LMH-CV and epiretinal proliferation volume increased significantly (P = 0.036, P < 0.001, respectively). Eyes with foveal bump had larger minimum horizontal diameter, maximum horizontal diameter, and LMH-CV volume (P = 0.008, P < 0.001, P = 0.024, respectively). Eyes with ellipsoid zone defect showed larger LMH-CV and epiretinal proliferation volume, but thinner central macular thickness (P = 0.038, P = 0.004, P = 0.012, respectively).
Conclusion: Volumetric analysis of LMH-CV detects changes in the natural course of lamellar macular hole earlier than the measurement of horizontal diameters. Further studies will clarify whether volumetric analysis of the lamellar macular hole is useful as an additional biomarker in the management of lamellar macular hole.