Optical coherence tomography-guided facedown positioning for macular hole surgery.

PURPOSE

To use spectral domain optical coherence tomography-guided duration of facedown positioning to study anatomical macular hole closure rates.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients with macular holes undergoing 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular gas tamponade. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging was done on postoperative Day 1. Patients remained facedown for 2 more days if the macular hole was closed or 6 more days facedown if the macular hole was open or indeterminate.

RESULTS

There were 8 Stage 2, 12 Stage 3, and 12 Stage 4 macular holes. On postoperative Day 1, 24 holes were closed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography and instructed to remain facedown for two more days. Twenty-three of 24 holes remained closed during the postoperative period. Eight holes were open or indeterminate on postoperative Day 1 and remained facedown for 6 more days. Six of 8 holes (75%) were closed at their last follow-up. The overall closure rate was 29/32 (90.6%). Average follow-up was 334 days.

CONCLUSION

Confirming early closure of macular holes with spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging can serve as an important guide to significantly shorten the duration of prone positioning while maintaining high closure rates.