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Open research questions in Retinal and Macular Surgery

182 gap statements mined from Retinal and Macular Surgery papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 1,408 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • Experimental limitations restrict retinal arteriole observation to radii exceeding 50 µm. Limited direct vasomotion measurements in small retinal precapillary arterioles are available. Limited retinal-specific data describing spatial and temporal variation during diabetic retinopathy are available.

    A Computational Model of Impaired Vasomotion and Retinal Fluid Transport in Diabetic Retinopathy · 2026 · DOI

  • Retinal displacement on fundus autofluorescence has been implicated, but its magnitude and direction have not been adequately quantified with standardized vector-based methods.

    Vector-based quantification of macular displacement after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery: Correlation with surgical technique and metamorphopsia severity · 2026 · DOI

  • This approach offers a new solution for unclosed MH and its effectiveness needs to be validated by more well-designed research.

    Innovative Non-Inverted ILM Free Flap Covering Technique for Unclosed Macular Hole Repair · 2025 · DOI

  • There are limited data on E-PPV use for dropped lens fragments retrieval in the literature.

    Dropped Lens Fragments Retrieval Using Endoscopy-Assisted Pars Plana Vitrectomy in Patients With Corneal Opacity · 2025 · DOI

  • Prior studies have not compared LMH and ERM-FS using multimodal imaging. The pathophysiology of lamellar macular defects is not fully understood.

    Multimodal imaging of photoreceptor and vascular changes in lamellar macular hole and epiretinal membrane-associated foveoschisis · 2026 · DOI

  • However, no studies have systematically compared the efficacy of various surgical techniques, such as ILM removal and ILM flap, in the treatment of macular holes with hole-door structures.

    Inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique versus internal limiting membrane removal in large macular hole with different hole edge configurations: a comparative study · 2026 · DOI

  • PVR is a prevalent cause of unsuccessful RD repair. The pathogenesis of PVR development is complex and not fully understood. There is a need to identify reliable predictive factors for PVR.

    Predictive lipidaemic and clinical factors for PVR formation after RRD surgery in nondiabetic patients · 2026 · DOI

  • The findings regarding predictive risk factors are inconsistent on the occurrence of PVR after RD repair. There is a need to identify serum lipidaemic factors that can predict the formation of PVR in cases after RRD surgery.

    Predictive lipidaemic and clinical factors for PVR formation after RRD surgery in nondiabetic patients · 2026 · DOI

  • Whether the presence of PPVP contributes to retinal thickincreased blood flow, or whether these retinal ening and characteristics are associated with PPVP detectability, remains to be determined in longitudinal studies.

    Ultrawidefield OCTA study for the impact of PPVP on the structure and blood flow of the retina and choroid · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of specialized multimodal datasets with specific imaging conditions is a limitation. The model's performance may be affected by transient data corruption.

    Toward comprehensive real-time scene understanding in ophthalmic surgery through multimodal image fusion · 2026 · DOI

  • The study faced challenges in terms of the limited sample size of the extreme high myopia group. There may be variability in the measurement of axial length and OCT parameters. The study's retrospective design may be subject to biases and limitations.

    Impact of Axial Length on Visual Outcomes and OCT Findings in Epiretinal Membrane: A Retrospective Study · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for further research on the safety and efficacy of ILM peeling techniques. The strong adhesion between the ILM and the underlying structures can result in complications.

    Modern approaches to ILM peeling in macular hole and epiretinal membrane surgery: benefits, risks, and surgical innovations · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of effective treatment options for patients with macular edema due to RVO who do not respond to anti-VEGF preparations. The need for further research on the optimal treatment regimen for patients with macular edema due to RVO.

    Evaluation of the Effects of Intravitreal Application of an Ozurdex Implant in Patients with Macular Edema due to Retinal Vein Occlusion · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited understanding of the role of OCT biomarkers. Complexity of case-mix confounding in observational data.

    Traumatic macular hole: observe, operate, or other options · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited evidence on the effectiveness of topical medical therapy.

    Traumatic macular hole: observe, operate, or other options · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of long-term follow-up imaging and genetic testing data can limit the understanding of the condition's progression and underlying causes.

    Idiopathic Foveal Cavitation in a Pediatric Patient: Multimodal Imaging Findings Mimicking Early Macular Hole Formation · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms of ERP and its association with LMH.

    Peeling versus Sparing Techniques for Epiretinal Proliferation in Lamellar Macular Hole Surgery: A Meta-analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term outcomes of sparing and peeling ERP techniques in patients with LMH. Research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of ERP and its association with LMH. Studies should investigate the effectiveness of sparing and peeling ERP techniques in different patient populations.

    Peeling versus Sparing Techniques for Epiretinal Proliferation in Lamellar Macular Hole Surgery: A Meta-analysis · 2026 · DOI

  • There is limited literature on the outcomes of managing juxtapapillary or peripheral RCHs using verteporfin PDT, but generally, reported cases have shown favorable anatomical results.

    Sandwich therapy combining photodynamic therapy and adjunctive anti-VEGF for juxtapapillary retinal capillary hemangioblastoma · 2026 · DOI

  • However, the function of MeCP2 in governing apoptosis and EMT in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and its implications for PVR development have remained inadequately understood.

    Critical role of apoptosis in MeCP2‐mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition of ARPE‐19 cells · 2024 · DOI

  • Targeted AO analysis of OCT-defined outer retinal disruption areas may provide additional insights in future longitudinal studies, beyond the standardized foveal and parafoveal scan protocol used.

    Multimodal imaging of photoreceptor and vascular changes in lamellar macular hole and epiretinal membrane-associated foveoschisis · 2026 · DOI

  • Variability in treatment protocols may act as a potential confounding factor. Although manual OCT measurements may carry a risk of observer-related bias, the fact that all measurements were performed by a single examiner enhanced standardization and ensured measurement consistency across evaluations.

    Baseline OCT biomarkers associated with visual prognosis in cystoid macular edema secondary to noninfectious uveitis · 2026 · DOI

  • The development of more specialized multimodal datasets with specific imaging conditions. The exploration of more advanced network architectures for multimodal image fusion.

    Toward comprehensive real-time scene understanding in ophthalmic surgery through multimodal image fusion · 2026 · DOI

  • The challenge of preserving the testicular artery and lymphatic vessels in pediatric microsurgical varicocelectomy - The need for a feasible strategy to optimize surgical procedures and enhance…

    Indocyanine green fluorescence for vascular visualization in pediatric microsurgical varicocelectomy · 2026 · DOI

  • Long-term follow-up imaging to assess lesion progression or potential spontaneous resolution, - OCT angiography to provide further insight into microvascular alterations, - Genetic testing to rule out inherited retinal…

    Idiopathic Foveal Cavitation in a Pediatric Patient: Multimodal Imaging Findings Mimicking Early Macular Hole Formation · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Retinal and Macular Surgery

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) The pathophysiology of lamellar macular defects is not fully understood (“Multimodal imaging of photoreceptor and vascular changes in lamellar macular…”, 2026); (2) No studies have systematically compared the efficacy of various surgical techniques, such as ILM removal and ILM flap, in the treatment of macular holes with hole-door structures (“Inverted internal limiting membrane flap technique versus internal limiting…”, 2026); (3) The pathogenesis of PVR development is complex and not fully understood (“Predictive lipidaemic and clinical factors for PVR formation after RRD surgery…”, 2026); (4) Whether the presence of PPVP contributes to retinal thickincreased blood flow, or whether these retinal ening and characteristics are associated with PPVP detectability, remains to be determined in longitudinal studies (“Ultrawidefield OCTA study for the impact of PPVP on the structure and blood…”, 2026); (5) The lack of specialized multimodal datasets with specific imaging conditions is a limitation (“Toward comprehensive real-time scene understanding in ophthalmic surgery…”, 2026). 182 gap statements have been mined from Retinal and Macular Surgery papers in our 7.9M-paper local library, which holds 1,408 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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