Purpose: To measure the dimensions of macular holes before surgery and compare them with the functional outcome.
Methods: A prospective study of ten consecutive patients scheduled for macular hole surgery. Macular holes were imaged with scanning laser ophthalmoscopy with different laser wavelengths. Computerized image analyses were used to measure the size of the hole and the surrounding rim.
Results: Eyes were referred to three different groups preoperatively according to visual function. Measurements of the longest diameter and the area of the macular hole were found to correlate well with visual function tested before and after surgery. All holes closed after one operation. Eighty per cent of eyes improved two or more lines on the distance visual chart and all patients but one could read a newspaper six months after surgery.
Conclusion: Preoperative size of macular hole can be used as a predictor of the functional outcome of macular hole surgery.