TIMING AND OUTCOME OF SURGERY FOR PERSISTENT MACULAR HOLE.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and optimum timing for resurgery in case of persistent macular hole (MH).

METHODS

Twenty-five eyes of 25 patients who underwent fluid-air exchange with intravitreal C3F8 for persistent MH after vitrectomy + internal limiting membrane peeling + SF6 were included in the study. Best-corrected visual acuity, optical coherence tomography features including base diameter and configuration of MH, and time duration between the two surgeries were noted.

RESULTS

Patients who underwent resurgery within 3 months of the first surgery had better anatomical closure rate compared with those who underwent resurgery after 3 months (P < 0.05). Significant improvement was seen in best-corrected visual acuity in eyes with closed MH. Eyes having MH with irregular edges on optical coherence tomography had better anatomical closure rates compared with the eyes having MH with round edges.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing repeat gas injection within 3 months of the primary surgery for persistent MH have better anatomical closure rates compared with late intervention.