Which statement describes a pseudo macular hole on OCT?

Which statement describes a pseudo macular hole on OCT?

• A. Not full thickness, no lifting seen between retinal layers.
• B. Macular hole that begins to lift the retina normally between OPL and ONL with traction above ILM.
• C. Not full thickness, but progresses laterally out into sides of retinal layers.
• D. Full thickness macular hole.

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is that a pseudo macular hole looks like a hole clinically, but on OCT there is no real break through all retinal layers. In a pseudo hole, the fovea may be distorted or indented, but the retina remains a single, continuous thickness without any separation between layers. This is often due to tangential traction from an epiretinal membrane or other vitreomacular interface changes, which alter contour without creating a true full-thickness cavity. That’s why the statement describing not being full thickness and showing no lifting between retinal layers is the best match. The other descriptions describe a true macular hole with full-thickness loss or other partial-thickness changes that do not fit the pattern of a pseudo hole.

The essential idea is that a pseudo macular hole looks like a hole clinically, but on OCT there is no real break through all retinal layers. In a pseudo hole, the fovea may be distorted or indented, but the retina remains a single, continuous thickness without any separation between layers. This is often due to tangential traction from an epiretinal membrane or other vitreomacular interface changes, which alter contour without creating a true full-thickness cavity.

That’s why the statement describing not being full thickness and showing no lifting between retinal layers is the best match. The other descriptions describe a true macular hole with full-thickness loss or other partial-thickness changes that do not fit the pattern of a pseudo hole.