Lens capsular flap in the management of posterior retinal hole associated retinal detachment in high myopic eyes with previous internal limiting membrane peeling: 3 case reports

RATIONALE: Managing retinal detachment due to posterior retinal holes is problematic since standard laser retinopexy or scleral buckling may be difficult to apply and may have brought serious complication. Another surgical method in treating posterior hole related retinal detachment is desired. PATIENT CONCERNS: Three high myopia patients with previous vitrectomy and membrane peeling history suffered from blurred vision and retinal detachment due to posterior pole retinal holes was diagnosed. DIAGNOSES: Patient diagnosed retinal detachment due to posterior retinal holes either as paracentral retinal breaks or macular hole from both indirect ophthalmoscope exam and fundus photography INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent lens capsular flap insertion into all the retinal holes, along with gas tamponade or silicone oil tamponade. No laser retinopexy was performed around the retinal holes. OUTCOMES: Of 3 included patients, 1 patient had insertion of the lens capsular flap, an incomplete air-fluid exchange, and 24% sulfur hexafluoride gas tamponade. The other 2 patients, after lens capsular flap insertion, had air-fluid exchange and subretinal fluid drainage with extrusion via soft needle through superior drainage retinotomy and silicon oil tamponade. The retinal holes of all eyes were sealed with retina attached postoperatively. LESSONS: Lens capsular flap is effective in sealing posterior retinal holes and treating the associated retinal detachment without the complication resulting from laser retinopexy, especially in eyes without sufficient internal limiting membrane (ILM) tissue due to previous ILM peeling.