RONA Technique: A Novel ILM Peeling Method for Treatment of Large Full-Thickness Macular Holes

Purpose:To present a new technique, RONA, for internal limiting membrane peeling and show its comparable success rate in closure of large full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs).Methods:This prospective interventional case series was implemented from January 2018 to November 2019. Consecutive cases with large FTMH with an aperture size of more than 500 mu m were included. The RONA technique was used to make consecutive flaps; the central border of which remained adherent to the FTMH edge. The emphasis is that the central border of all flaps should remain adherent to the FTMH edge, letting the flaps remain there spontaneously.Results:Seventeen eyes of 17 patients (4 males and 13 females; age 62.3 +/- 7.8 years) were included. The mean size of opening and base of FTMH were 651.1 +/- 141.1 mu m (range: 501-950) and 964.6 +/- 383.8 mu m (range: 527-2098), respectively. One week after the surgery, complete closure of all FTMHs occurred with no hole reopening until the end of 12 months. The mean best-corrected visual acuity at baseline and 12 months after surgery were 1.57 +/- 0.30 and 0.75 +/- 0.028 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, respectively, with statistically significant improvement (P < 0.001).Conclusion:The first advantage of this efficacious technique is that there is no need to manipulate FTMH edge or underneath tissues. Another and of course, the most important advantage is that there is no need to care about flap unfolding during the exchange stage.

Automated summary

This study presents a new technique called RONA for internal limiting membrane peeling and shows its comparable success rate in closure of large full-thickness macular holes. The advantage of this technique is that there is no need to manipulate the macular hole edge or underlying tissues, and there is no need to worry about flap unfolding during the surgery.