The treatment of macular holes by pars plana vitrectomy and internal air/SF6 exchange.

The results of a series of patients with full-thickness macular holes treated by pars plana vitrectomy are described. A air/gas mixture is used to tamponade the retinal hole and no adhesion is applied. Eleven eyes, including six high myopes, were treated using this method and sustained reattachment was achieved in eight eyes (73%). Three cases failed due to the presence of preretinal membrane formation and retinal shortening. This method is technically easy, allows good tamponade of the retinal hole with controlled internal drainage of subretinal fluid, and appears much safer than previously described techniques.