Development and spontaneous closure of a secondary macular hole associated with submacular hemorrhage due to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: a case report

BACKGROUND: Macular hole (MH) is a retinal break in the fovea involving partial or complete dehiscence of the neural retinal layers affecting the visual quality by decreasing visual acuity (VA) and visual deformation. We describe a case of secondary MH associated with submacular hemorrhage (SMH) due to polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), which showed spontaneous closure. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old man developed decreased VA in his right eye due to an SMH. The VA was 20/50, and monthly intravitreal injection of aflibercept was administered three times. The SMH gradually decreased, and 10 months later the external limiting membrane was found to be perforated, resulting in MH. The old clot disappeared, and the MH remained for 10 months. Twenty-three months later, serous retinal detachment (SRD) involving the macula appeared and the MH had disappeared. SRD gradually disappeared, and macular configuration recovered. VA gradually improved and became 20/20 38 months later. CONCLUSION: Dynamic change of the ultrastructure in an unusual case of secondary-developed and spontaneously closed MH was clearly observed. Although the mechanism was unknown, the small diameter size and exudative PCV are thought to have contributed to the closure.