Treatment of retinal detachment with macular hole.

Of 21 retinal detachments with a macular hole, 18 (86%) were cured by cerclage, combined with drainage of the subretinal fluid and light (laser) coagulation of the macula. By means of this simple procedure, recommended by Meyer-Schwickerath in 1961, many surgical difficulties and possible complications, especially posterior pole hemorrhages, can be avoided and relatively good function of the central retina can be achieved. Even highly myopic eyes with moderate staphyloma can be treated successfully by this technique.