The Use of Amniotic Membrane or Internal Limiting Membrane for Large or Refractory Macular Holes: A Prospective Study
NCT ID: NCT04904679
Last Updated: 2025-05-06
Study Results
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Basic Information
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ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
NA
23 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2020-06-26
2025-12-31
Brief Summary
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Detailed Description
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The gold-standard treatment for idiopathic macular holes is pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), which involves removal of the posterior hyaloid (when adhered) and the ILM using a vital dye, followed by placement of buffering gas (C3F8 or SF6) at a non-expandable concentration. However, approximately 44% of large macular holes remain unclosed after conventional surgery.
To improve closure rates in such cases, new techniques have been introduced, including the inverted ILM flap technique and the free ILM flap technique. While studies demonstrate the effectiveness of these techniques, they show no significant improvement in visual function.
The amniotic membrane (AM) has recently been explored as an adjunct for macular hole closure and as a substrate for cell growth and visual acuity improvement. Amniotic membranes are believed to promote epithelialization and possess anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and antimicrobial properties.
In this study, eligible patients will be randomized into two groups:
* Group 1: Undergoing PPV with ILM removal, followed by placement of an amniotic membrane plug inside the macular hole, with its chorionic face in contact with the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).
* Group 2: Undergoing PPV with ILM removal, followed by placement of either an inverted ILM flap or a free ILM fragment for refractory cases, positioned over (inverted flap) or inside (free flap) the macular hole.
Once the AM plug or ILM flap is confirmed in its correct location, a fluid-gas exchange will be performed with 12.5% C3F8 buffering gas, and patients will maintain a face-down position for 7 days postoperatively.
Patients included in the study will undergo:
* Preoperative assessment, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, optical coherence tomography (OCT) using the Zeiss Cirrus 5000, and microperimetry using the Macular Integrity Assessment (MAIA) device.
* Postoperative evaluations at day 1 and day 7, followed by assessments at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. During these visits:- A complete ophthalmic examination will be performed.
* OCT imaging will be conducted at day 7, month 1, month 3, month 6, and month 12.
* Microperimetry will be conducted at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 to evaluate anatomical and functional responses.
The use of the amniotic membrane, given its anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and cell growth-supporting properties, is expected to increase closure rates in refractory and large macular holes and contribute to better functional outcomes by supporting outer retinal layer regeneration.
The Sorocaba Eye Bank (BOS) will provide, prepare, and preserve the amniotic membrane used in this study.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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Amniotic Membrane group
Patients who will be treated with a amniotic membrane plug
Pars plana Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling
The pars plana 23-gauge (23G) vitrectomy technique will be performed with removal of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) (when adhered to the macula) and placement of either an amniotic membrane plug or an ILM flap in the macular hole. This will be followed by a fluid-air exchange and buffering gas infusion (12.5% C3F8).
The amniotic membrane plug will be prepared using a dermatological punch with a diameter of 1 to 2 mm, depending on the size of the macular hole as measured by OCT. It will be positioned inside the macular hole using 23G forceps, with its chorionic side facing the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE).
The ILM flap will be created at the time of peeling-with an inverted flap in primary cases and a free flap in refractory cases. It will be positioned over the hole (inverted flap) or inside the macular hole (free flap) using 23G ILM forceps.
These techniques will be assisted by the use of an extra lighting sclerotomy.
Internal Limiting Membrane group
patients who will be treated with a internal limiting membrane flap
Pars plana Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling
The pars plana 23-gauge (23G) vitrectomy technique will be performed with removal of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) (when adhered to the macula) and placement of either an amniotic membrane plug or an ILM flap in the macular hole. This will be followed by a fluid-air exchange and buffering gas infusion (12.5% C3F8).
The amniotic membrane plug will be prepared using a dermatological punch with a diameter of 1 to 2 mm, depending on the size of the macular hole as measured by OCT. It will be positioned inside the macular hole using 23G forceps, with its chorionic side facing the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE).
The ILM flap will be created at the time of peeling-with an inverted flap in primary cases and a free flap in refractory cases. It will be positioned over the hole (inverted flap) or inside the macular hole (free flap) using 23G ILM forceps.
These techniques will be assisted by the use of an extra lighting sclerotomy.
Interventions
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Pars plana Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling
The pars plana 23-gauge (23G) vitrectomy technique will be performed with removal of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) (when adhered to the macula) and placement of either an amniotic membrane plug or an ILM flap in the macular hole. This will be followed by a fluid-air exchange and buffering gas infusion (12.5% C3F8).
The amniotic membrane plug will be prepared using a dermatological punch with a diameter of 1 to 2 mm, depending on the size of the macular hole as measured by OCT. It will be positioned inside the macular hole using 23G forceps, with its chorionic side facing the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE).
The ILM flap will be created at the time of peeling-with an inverted flap in primary cases and a free flap in refractory cases. It will be positioned over the hole (inverted flap) or inside the macular hole (free flap) using 23G ILM forceps.
These techniques will be assisted by the use of an extra lighting sclerotomy.
Other Intervention Names
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Patients with idiopathic macular hole (with no history of secondary macular hole) ≥ 600 microns (measured using optical coherence tomography)
* Patients with an idiopathic macular hole submitted to conventional treatment without closing it (of any size).
* History of the disease less than 18 months
* Aged over 18 years old
* Visual acuity less than 20/32
Exclusion Criteria
* Macular hole of other causes (secondary)
* Patients with diabetic retinopathy or other retinal vascular diseases
* Eyes subjected to intravitreal injection of any medication
* Visual acuity \<20/400 of any retinal cause in the contralateral eye or absence of the globe \*Aged under 50 years old
* Cataract and anti-glaucoma surgery less than 3 months before the study
* Glaucoma with optic nerve excavation \> 0.7 in the studied eye
* Intraocular pressure \> 24 mmHg with the use of maximum medication in the studied eye
* History of vitreoretinal surgery for a condition other than the idiopathic macular hole (retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage)
* History of retinal detachment of any etiology
* A patient who manifests himself not being able to perform the head position in the postoperative period
* A patient with active anterior or posterior uveitis
18 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Hospital Oftalmologico de Sorocaba
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Anna Carolina Carvalho Araujo
Ophthalmologist , MD
Locations
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Hospital Oftalmologico de Sorocaba/ Banco de Olhos de Sorocaba
Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
Sorocaba Eye's Hospital
Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
Countries
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References
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Jirsova K, Jones GLA. Amniotic membrane in ophthalmology: properties, preparation, storage and indications for grafting-a review. Cell Tissue Bank. 2017 Jun;18(2):193-204. doi: 10.1007/s10561-017-9618-5. Epub 2017 Mar 2.
Ferreira MA, Maia A, Machado AJ, Ferreira REA, Hagemann LF, Junior PHER, Rezende FA. Human amniotic membrane for the treatment of large and refractory macular holes: a retrospective, multicentric, interventional study. Int J Retina Vitreous. 2021 May 8;7(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s40942-021-00308-6.
Caporossi T, Tartaro R, De Angelis L, Pacini B, Rizzo S. A human amniotic membrane plug to repair retinal detachment associated with large macular tear. Acta Ophthalmol. 2019 Dec;97(8):821-823. doi: 10.1111/aos.14109. Epub 2019 Apr 6.
Rizzo S, Caporossi T, Tartaro R, Finocchio L, Franco F, Barca F, Giansanti F. A Human Amniotic Membrane Plug to Promote Retinal Breaks Repair and Recurrent Macular Hole Closure. Retina. 2019 Oct;39 Suppl 1:S95-S103. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002320. No abstract available.
Caporossi T, Pacini B, De Angelis L, Barca F, Peiretti E, Rizzo S. HUMAN AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE TO CLOSE RECURRENT, HIGH MYOPIC MACULAR HOLES IN PATHOLOGIC MYOPIA WITH AXIAL LENGTH OF >/=30 mm. Retina. 2020 Oct;40(10):1946-1954. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002699.
Meyer CH, Borny R, Horchi N. Subretinal fluid application to close a refractory full thickness macular hole. Int J Retina Vitreous. 2017 Nov 27;3:44. doi: 10.1186/s40942-017-0094-7. eCollection 2017.
Kase S, Saito W, Mori S, Saito M, Ando R, Dong Z, Suzuki T, Noda K, Ishida S. Clinical and histological evaluation of large macular hole surgery using the inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique. Clin Ophthalmol. 2016 Dec 16;11:9-14. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S119762. eCollection 2017.
Ch'ng SW, Patton N, Ahmed M, Ivanova T, Baumann C, Charles S, Jalil A. The Manchester Large Macular Hole Study: Is it Time to Reclassify Large Macular Holes? Am J Ophthalmol. 2018 Nov;195:36-42. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2018.07.027. Epub 2018 Jul 30.
Passemard M, Yakoubi Y, Muselier A, Hubert I, Guillaubey A, Bron AM, Berrod JP, Creuzot-Garcher C. Long-term outcome of idiopathic macular hole surgery. Am J Ophthalmol. 2010 Jan;149(1):120-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2009.08.003. Epub 2009 Oct 20.
Lois N, Burr J, Norrie J, Vale L, Cook J, McDonald A, Boachie C, Ternent L, McPherson G; Full-thickness Macular Hole and Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling Study (FILMS) Group. Internal limiting membrane peeling versus no peeling for idiopathic full-thickness macular hole: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011 Mar 1;52(3):1586-92. doi: 10.1167/iovs.10-6287.
Carvalho Araujo AC, Bordon AF, Falcao V, Bortolai P, Dib E, Maia M. The use of amniotic membrane or inverted internal limiting membrane flap for large or refractory macular holes: a prospective, comparative study using microperimetry. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2025 Sep 15. doi: 10.1007/s00417-025-06917-3. Online ahead of print.
Other Identifiers
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HAMprotocol
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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