Autologous neurosensory retinal free patch transplantation for persistent full-thickness macular hole

PURPOSE: To evaluate anatomical and functional outcomes after autologous neurosensory retinal free patch (ANRFP) transplantation for persistent idiopathic full-thickness macular hole (iFTMH). METHODS: A 65-year-old woman with persistent macular hole in her right eye after previous 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and long-acting gas tamponade underwent ANRFP transplantation. Before surgery, best corrected visual acuity in her right eye was 20/800. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed a 715-micron-diameter FTMH. To treat the persistent FTMH, a small autologous neurosensory retinal patch was transplanted and placed inside the macular hole under perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCL). PFCL-air exchange was performed, and long-acting gas tamponade was carried out. Clinical features of the macular area, visual acuity (VA), fundus autofluorescence, microperimetry and OCT were recorded during the 10-month follow-up. RESULTS: The macular hole appeared successfully closed with retinal patch stable and well plugged into the hole during the whole follow-up. VA improved to 20/100 and microperimetry revealed an increase in mean retinal sensitivity from 14.7 dB at 1 month to 15.6 dB at 10 months postoperatively. OCT showed a well-distinguishable retinal patch into the hole 1 month after surgery and a completely integrated retinal patch between the retinal layers 10 months postoperatively. No intra- and postoperative complications were noticed. CONCLUSIONS: ANRFP transplantation may represent an innovative technique for persistent iFTMH treatment.