Visual Evoked potential changes in macular hole

Abstract

macular hole is a full thickness opening in the posterior pole involving the foveola and resulting in substantial loss of central visual function (Gass, 1988).

There are several types of macular holes; idiopathic senile macular holes, traumatic holes, holes resulting from incomplete vitreous separation, transvitreal bands of vitreous condensation or neighboring epiretinal membranes (Aaberg, 1970).

Most researchers now agree that vitreoretinal traction is the probable cause of idiopathic macular holes, whether it be antero­ posterior vitreoretinal traction or tangential traction (Kelly, 1994). Patients with macular holes, have symptoms of defective central vision, metamorphopsia and positive scotoma corresponding to the neurosensory defect, as well as the concentric surrounding retinal detachment (Sjaarda et al., 1993).

Treatment of macular holes should be undertaken at the appropriate time. Treatment consists of two basic modalities; laser therapy aimed at reattaching the cuff of detached retina surrounding the macular hole (Freeman, 1993) or vitreous surgery employing a modified vitrectomy technique (Ruby et al., 1994; Melberg et al., 1995). The most recent treatment modality is the local application of y / transforming growth factor which is injected directly into the reti" pigment epithelial cells with a syringe during macular surgery