title: Anatomic and functional results of vitrectomy and long-term intraocular tamponade for stage 2 macular holes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the results of pars plana vitrectomy combined with long-term intraocular tamponade in patients with a stage 2 macular hole.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective study, 50 consecutive eyes operated on for stage 2 macular hole were reviewed. The surgical technique included pars plana vitrectomy, separation of the posterior hyaloid, and intraocular tamponade with either 12.5% perfluropropane (C(3)F(8)) gas or silicone oil. Patients treated with C(3)F(8) were instructed to keep face-down positioning for 3 or 4 weeks. Removal of silicone oil took place 4 or 5 weeks after the vitrectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Closure of the macular hole was achieved in all 50 eyes after one operation. The mean postoperative best-corrected distance visual acuity was 20/32 (range, 20/63-20/20), with 49 eyes (98%) having a postoperative visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Visual acuity improved in all eyes postoperatively, with a mean gain of 4.84 +/- 1.95 ETDRS lines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For stage 2 macular holes, vitrectomy combined with long-term intraocular tamponade can result in a very favorable anatomic and functional outcome that is as good as or better than the results described for other modalities. This approach simplifies the surgical technique, and both adjuvant-related complications and potential retinal damage related to internal limiting membrane peeling or use of indocyanine green are avoided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland. g_dori@bezeqint.net
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dori
authors.forename: Adelheid M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Thoelen
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akalp
authors.forename: Paolo P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Bernasconi
authors.forename: Elmar P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Messmer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016684:Prone Position; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D014821:Vitrectomy
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D012827:Silicone Oils; C042852:perflutren; D007208:Indocyanine Green