AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane(ILM)insertion for the treatment of refractory macular holes(MH)by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT).

METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted in 17 patients(17 eyes)with refractory MH from July 2019 to December 2020. All patients were treated with pars plana vitrectomy combined with ILM insertion. Preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)were compared. Quantified evaluation of the postoperative macular restoration was performed by SD-OCT.

RESULTS: The widths of ellipsoid zone disruption were 839.00-1577.50μm, with an average of 1182.90±226.68μm. During the follow-up period(3-12mo), 17 cases achieved successful closure(100%), and no recurrence was seen. Postoperative BCVA was significantly improved compared with preoperative(P<0.01). The widths of external limiting membrane disruption and ellipsoid zone disruption were smaller gradually at 1wk and 3mo after surgery compared with preoperative(all P<0.01). But the continuity was still not restored. The thickness of the central fovea of macula(within 1mm diameter range)at 1wk and 3mo after surgery decreased significantly compared with preoperative(all P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Pars plana vitrectomy combined with ILM insertion proves to be effective to achieve anatomical and functional improvement in the treatment of refractory MH. SD-OCT has important clinical value in the diagnosis and postoperative follow-up evaluation of refractory MH.