ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT07318961ATCG-RMHUpdated Sep 30, 2026

Autologous Tenon's Capsule Graft for Refractory Macular Holes

An interventional study of Autologous Tenon's Capsule Graft Placement in Macular Hole Surgery, sponsored by Benha University. Recruiting at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-30.

Sponsored by Benha University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Dec 2025; still recruiting 10 months later.
Updated Sep 30, 2026Primary completion movedStudy completion movedGo to Updates ↓
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
20
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This prospective interventional study evaluates the anatomical and functional outcomes of autologous Tenon's capsule grafting in patients with refractory full-thickness macular holes. Eligible patients include those with chronic large macular holes (>400 µm) or persistent holes following prior pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade. Anatomical closure will be assessed using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and functional outcomes will be evaluated by best-corrected visual acuity over a 3-month follow-up period.

Read the detailed description

Refractory full-thickness macular holes represent a significant surgical challenge, with reduced closure rates following conventional techniques, particularly in large or chronic defects. Autologous tissue grafting has emerged as an alternative strategy to provide a biological scaffold for retinal tissue bridging and gliosis. Tenon's capsule is a readily accessible autologous fibrovascular tissue that can be harvested intraoperatively with minimal morbidity.

This prospective single-arm clinical study aims to assess the anatomical closure rate and visual outcomes following autologous Tenon's capsule graft placement in refractory macular holes. All patients will undergo standard pars plana vitrectomy, placement of a trimmed Tenon's graft into the macular hole, and silicone oil tamponade. Outcomes will be evaluated using standardized visual acuity testing and spectral-domain OCT imaging at predefined postoperative intervals.

02

Conditions studied

  • Macular Hole Surgery

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Keywords

  • Autologous Tenon's Capsule Graft
  • Macular Hole
03

In context

Retinal Perforations

139 studies on the registry are indexed under Retinal Perforations; 22 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 20 is below the median of 50 across 94 interventional studies indexed under Retinal Perforations.

Browse Retinal Perforations studies →

Lead sponsor

Benha University is the lead sponsor of 362 studies on the registry; 66 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 years or older
  • full-thickness macular hole defined as:
  • Chronic macular hole >400 µm, or
  • Persistent macular hole following prior vitrectomy with ILM peeling and gas tamponade
  • Clear ocular media and adequate fixation for OCT imaging
  • Ability to provide

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active ocular infection or inflammation
  • Advanced glaucoma or optic neuropathy
  • History of intraocular tumors
  • Severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy
  • Significant systemic diseases likely to affect visual recovery
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(2)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Relapsed and refractory

Relapsed: the illness came back after treatment had worked. Refractory: it did not respond to treatment, or stopped responding while still on it.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

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05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
20 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Other
    Autologous Tenon's Capsule Graft

    Procedure

    Procedure: Autologous Tenon's Capsule Graft Placement

Interventions

  • ProcedureAutologous Tenon's Capsule Graft Placement

    Participants will undergo 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy. Autologous Tenon's capsule tissue will be harvested through conjunctival peritomy, trimmed appropriately, and placed into the macular hole using intraocular forceps. Perfluorocarbon liquid may be used for graft stabilization, followed by silicone oil tamponade. Silicone oil removal is planned after 8-12 weeks.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Macular hole anatomical closure

    Complete closure of the macular hole as confirmed by spectral-domain OCT

    Time frame: 3 months postoperatively

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Best-Corrected Visual Acuity (logMAR)

    Change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), measured in logMAR units, comparing postoperative values with baseline (preoperative) BCVA to assess functional visual improvement following autologous Tenon's capsule graft surgery.

    Time frame: Baseline (preoperative), 1 month postoperatively, and 3 months postoperatively

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
08

Updates

1 registry update since Sep 25, 2026
Primary completion
Jun 1, 2026→Dec 1, 2026
Sep 30, 2026
Study completion
Jun 3, 2026→Jan 3, 2027
Sep 30, 2026
Show all 1 update
  1. Sep 30, 2026
    Primary completion Jun 1, 2026→Dec 1, 2026
    Study completion Jun 3, 2026→Jan 3, 2027
    + 1 other change: verification date

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07318961
Lead sponsor
Benha University
Responsible party
Ehab Mohamed Elsayed Mohamed Saad (Lecturer, Benha University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jan 6, 2026
Start date
Dec 14, 2025
Primary completion
Dec 1, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Jan 3, 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 30, 2026

Study contacts

Ehab Mohamed Elsayed Saad Saad, lecturer
Contact
ehab.saad@fmed.bu.edu.eg
00201008418667

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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