Effects of intraocular bubble duration in the treatment of macular holes by vitrectomy and transforming growth factor-beta 2.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of a long-acting (16% perfluoropropane [C3F8]) versus a short-acting (air) intraocular gas tamponade on visual outcome and macular hole closure rate after vitrectomy and intravitreal instillation of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-beta 2) on the macula.


METHODS
Vitrectomy with removal of the posterior hyaloid fluid-gas exchange with instillation of TGF-beta 2 was performed in 15 eyes treated with air and 37 eyes treated with 16% C3F8 using identical surgical techniques (mean follow-up, 5.6 months).


RESULTS
The macular hole was closed successfully in 36 (97%) of 37 eyes treated with 16% C3F8 and in 8 (53.3%) of 15 eyes treated with air (P = 0.00007). The visual acuity improved by a mean of 3.1 lines on the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart for eyes treated with 16% C3F8 and 1.3 lines for eyes treated with air (P = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
A longer duration intraocular gas tamponade from 16% C3F8 gives a much higher rate of successful closure of macular holes and improved visual acuity using vitrectomy and TGF-beta 2 than does air.
Retina Institute of Maryland, Baltimore.
J T
JT
Thompson
B M
BM
Glaser
R N
RN
Sjaarda
R P
RP
Murphy
A
A
Hanham
D000368:Aged; D000388:Air; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy
D005466:Fluorocarbons; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C042852:perflutren