• Ki Yup Nam, Hyun Kyung Cho, Tae Seen Kang, Ji Hye Kim, Bum Jun Kim, and Yong Seop Han.
• Department of Ophthalmology, Gyeonsang National University Changwon Hospital.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Sep 4; 99 (36): e21835.

RationaleMacular hole (MH) formation after vitrectomy is rare and it may be due to several mechanisms associated with change of foveolar anatomy by vitrectomy. If a MH develops after vitrectomy, surgical treatments including internal limiting membrane peeling and intravitreal gas injection are usually needed for repair of hole. Spontaneous closure of MH is much rarer.Patient ConcernsA 66-year-old patient had a vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment not involving the macula of the right eye. Eight months after the vitrectomy, the visual acuity decreased and full-thickness defect of macula, epiretinal membrane progression, intraretinal cysts, and flame shape hemorrhage along with superior temporal vascular arcade were observed on fundus examination and optical coherence tomography.DiagnosesMH and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) accompanying cystoid macular edema (CME) were both present on her right eye. Thus, we planned a surgery for MH repair.InterventionsThe status of MH was observed while waiting the surgery schedule. At 2 weeks after detection of the MH, optical coherence tomography showed that intraretinal cysts had decreased in extent and the inner wall of the MH had contracted; 4 weeks later, the MH was closed with a subtle subretinal space.OutcomesThe fovea was well-maintained with a complete closure for 9 months.LessonsMH formation and spontaneous closure occurred in association with BRVO accompanying CME in a patient who had a vitrectomy. In vitrectomized eyes, physicians should consider the possibility of MH development in association with BRVO, and possible spontaneous closure of the MH in accordance with CME resolution.

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