To evaluate long-term outcome of foveal tissue elongation after macular hole (MH) surgery.

This retrospective, observational case series was performed on patients who underwent MH surgery and were followed-up more than 12 months. Distance between the parafoveal edge of the outer plexiform layer (OPL) was defined as the inter-OPL distance and measured using optical coherence tomography images at 5 to 8 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up. The horizontal and vertical inter-OPL distances were compared between the 2 defined time points. In addition, further elongation of the foveal tissue in certain directions was defined as asymmetric elongation and was compared between the defined time points.

The early and late postoperative examination was performed at 6.3 ± 1.1 (mean ± standard deviation) months and 22.7 ± 7.8 months, respectively. The horizontal inter-OPL distance was 552.3 ± 130.5 µm and 502.8 ± 139.3 µm at the defined time points, respectively and the vertical inter-OPL distance was 478.9 ± 107.2 µm and 447.5 ± 107.1 µm, respectively. Both horizontal and vertical inter-OPL distances were significantly shortened at the last postoperative examination ( p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). The degree of asymmetric elongation was 10.8 ± 6.5% and 11.8 ± 7.9% at the defined time points, respectively, and was not different between the defined time points ( p = 0.426).

The long-term shortening of foveal tissue after MH surgery without progression of asymmetry may partially contribute to the long-term recovery of visual function after MH surgery.