Intravitreal expansile gas in the treatment of early macular hole: Reappraisal

Ta Ching Chen, Chang Hao Yang, Chung May Yang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To study the effects of intravitreal injection (IVI) of expansile gas for early macular holes (EMH). Methods: Prospective interventional case series. Twelve eyes of 12 patients with EMH (stage 2) underwent IVI of perfluoropropane 0.2 ml followed by 5 days' facedown positioning. Results: Six cases (50%) achieved vitreous-macula separation. Three cases (25%) had hole closure with vision improvement; one of them developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and hole re-opening. Another case with persistent hole also developed RRD. Seven of the 9 cases without hole closure and the one where the hole re-opened had vitrectomy, all resulting in hole closure and vision improvement. Duration of symptoms had borderline significance for hole closure (p = 0.11) and subsequent visual improvement (p = 0.03). Conclusion: With its low success rate, IVI of gas may not be a good option for EMH. Complications include retinal detachment. The procedure seems to not affect hole closure with subsequent vitrectomy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)159-166
Number of pages8
JournalOphthalmologica
Volume228
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Early macular hole
  • Expansile gas

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology
  • Sensory Systems

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