Current advances in the management of optic disc pit maculopathy

Introduction: Although we have been familiar with optic disc pits for a long time, the diagnosis and management of maculopathy remain unclear. Better imaging has improved the diagnosis of this subtle pathology. A recent update on the natural history of optic pit maculopathy marks a paradigm shift in the understanding and management of this condition. There is renewed scope for non-surgical management and less urgency for vitrectomy, which remains the definitive treatment.Areas covered: This perspective highlights and critiques the updates on diagnostic imaging, natural history, indications and prognosis for surgery, non-surgical alternatives, and surgical adjuncts. We searched the Medline database using the keywords optic pit AND maculopathy, optic pit AND macular schisis, optic pit AND macular detachment; optic pit AND vitrectomy, optic pit AND laser photocoagulation, and included the salient articles.Expert commentary: There has been no major change in the surgical options and outcomes for optic pit maculopathy in recent times, except a greater clarity on the role of vitrectomy without any adjuvants as the primary surgical procedure. The key updates are on better imaging for diagnosis and prognosis, and less urgency for surgery in view of the favorable natural history.