Our Summary

This study was aimed at understanding the changes in depth perception (stereopsis) in patients who underwent a surgical procedure called vitrectomy for a condition called macular hole (MH). Macular hole is a small break in the macula, the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision. Vitrectomy is a surgery to remove some or all of the vitreous humor from the eye.

Researchers studied 52 patients who had successful vitrectomy for MH and 20 people without any eye disease. They tested the patients’ depth perception and examined their eyes with a special imaging technique before the surgery and 3, 6, and 12 months after the surgery.

They found out that the depth perception in the patients improved after the surgery, but it was still worse than in people without any eye disease. They also found out that the size of the MH and the length of a specific part of the retina affected by MH (external limiting membrane or ELM) before the surgery were related to the depth perception after the surgery.

So, the study suggests that the surgery improves depth perception in MH patients, but it does not bring it back to normal. Also, the size of the MH and the damage to the ELM before the surgery can give an idea about how well the patients will perceive depth after the surgery.

FAQs

  1. Does vitrectomy for macular hole (MH) improve stereopsis in patients?
  2. What factors are prognostic for postoperative stereopsis following vitrectomy for MH?
  3. How does the stereopsis in patients who underwent vitrectomy for MH compare to that in normal participants?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about retinal surgery is to follow postoperative care instructions carefully to optimize the healing process and outcomes. This may include avoiding strenuous activities, taking prescribed medications as directed, attending follow-up appointments, and following any specific dietary or lifestyle recommendations. Additionally, it is important to report any changes in vision or symptoms to your doctor promptly. Regular monitoring of retinal microstructures and visual acuity can help track progress and identify any potential issues that may arise.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for retinal surgery include those with macular holes, retinal detachments, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and other retinal disorders that can benefit from surgical intervention to improve vision and prevent further vision loss. Retinal surgery is often recommended when other treatments, such as medications or laser therapy, have not been successful in addressing the underlying retinal condition.

Timeline

Before retinal surgery:

  • Patient experiences symptoms such as blurred or distorted vision, decreased visual acuity, and/or a dark spot in the center of vision.
  • Patient undergoes preoperative evaluations including visual acuity tests, optical coherence tomography, and stereopsis tests.
  • Surgery is scheduled and patient is briefed on the procedure and postoperative care.

After retinal surgery:

  • Patient undergoes vitrectomy for macular hole and postoperative evaluations are conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months.
  • Stereopsis is assessed using the Titmus Stereo Test and TNO stereotest.
  • Postoperative stereopsis values show improvement but are still significantly worse than normal participants.
  • Preoperative factors such as macular hole size and defect length of external limiting membrane are found to correlate with postoperative stereopsis outcomes.
  • Vitrectomy for macular hole is found to significantly improve stereopsis, although not to normal levels.
  • Defect lengths of external limiting membrane and interdigitation zone are identified as prognostic factors for postoperative stereopsis outcomes.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the success rate of retinal surgery for my specific condition?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with retinal surgery?
  3. How long is the recovery period after retinal surgery?
  4. Will I need to undergo any additional procedures or treatments after the surgery?
  5. How will retinal surgery affect my vision and stereopsis in the long term?
  6. Can you explain the relationship between retinal microstructures and stereopsis in more detail?
  7. Are there any specific factors or measurements that can predict the success of retinal surgery in improving stereopsis?
  8. How frequently will I need to follow up with you after the surgery?
  9. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions I should take after retinal surgery to optimize my visual outcomes?
  10. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider before proceeding with retinal surgery?

Reference

Authors: Okamoto F, Moriya Y, Sugiura Y, Murakami T, Morikawa S, Hoshi S, Hiraoka T, Oshika T. Journal: Sci Rep. 2020 Nov 11;10(1):19534. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-76648-4. PMID: 33177620