[Retinal detachment caused by macular holes in patients with severe myopia: results of intravitreal injection of pure C3F8].

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term anatomic and visual results of intravitreal injection of pure C3F8 in the management of retinal detachments due to macular holes in myopic eyes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty one highly myopic eyes (19 patients) with retinal detachments due to macular holes were initially managed by intravitreal injection of pure C3F8. The postoperative follow-up ranged from 6,5 to 45 months (median: 27.5 months).

RESULTS

Total retinal reattachment was achieved in 16 eyes (76.2%). Anatomic success was obtained with a single C3F8 injection in 15 eyes, and two injections in one eye. The 5 eyes which failed to reattach after gas injection underwent reoperation using choroidal irritation in the macular area associated with gas injection. The retina was reattached in all eyes. Eleven of the 16 eyes (68.7%) in which the retina was reattached solely with intravitreal gas injection had a nearly normal final near reading visual acuity. In contrast, none of the eyes reattached with the use of choroidal irritation had measurable final visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

The results achieved in the present series of patients confirm that intravitreal injection of pure C3F8 is a valuable alternative in the management of retinal detachments due to macular holes in myopic eyes. We recommend this treatment approach as the initial surgical procedure, since more than half of eyes successfully operated on recover useful central vision.