Is axial length a risk factor for idiopathic macular hole formation?

Current theories for macular hole formation implicate antero-posterior and tractional forces at the vitreofoveal interface. It is thought that localized perifoveal defects enlarge from centrifugal forces acting about the axis of ocular rotation. If this is true, eyes with longer axial lengths should have an increased incidence of macular holes. The aim of this study was to determine if axial length is a risk factor for macular hole development. The study group comprised 40 patients with refractive errors from hyperopia to myopia with stage 3 and 4 idiopathic macular holes. Controls matched for age, gender and spherical equivalent (SE) were used for statistical comparison. Axial length (AL) was analyzed using SPSS 13.0 statistical software and compared using Student’s t test. P