Treatment of Failed Macular Hole after Vitrectomy by Outpatient Gas Injection and Laser Photocoagulation.

Chung, Soh Hyang; Lee, Su Young; Kwon, Oh Woong

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2003;44(4):836-841.
Published online April 1, 2003.

Treatment of Failed Macular Hole after Vitrectomy by Outpatient Gas Injection and Laser Photocoagulation.

Soh Hyang Chung, Su Young Lee, Oh Woong Kwon

¹The Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea. owkwon0301@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
²Department of Ophthalmology, Ihwa University College of Medicine, Korea.

유리체절제술로 황반원공 폐쇄에 실패한 환자에게 시행한 가스주입술 및 레이저광응고술

정소향 ( Soh Hyang Chung ) , 이수영 ( Su Young Lee ) , 권오웅 ( Oh Woong Kwon )

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to assess the effect of gas injection and laser photocoagulation for patients with opened macular holes who had previously undergone trans pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: A retrospective study for 6 patients (6 eyes) who had opened macular holes after vitrectomy were treated by an outpatient method consisting of laser photocoagulation to the foveal pigment epithelium followed by injection of 100% SF6 gas. Visual acuity, anatomic status of the macular hole, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The length of period of gas injection and laser photocoagulation was distributed to 1 month to 8months (mean 3.2 months) and follow up period was distributed to 8 months to 25 months (mean 14.3months). Three of six eyes with gas injection and laser photocoagulation achieved anatomic success and two of them achieved visual improvement by more than two lines. Three eyes among four phakic eyes developed nucleosclerosis of the lens and one eye developed transient elevation of intraocular pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The outpatient gas injection and laser photocoagulation appears to be a safe and cost-effective alternative to repeated surgery for opened macular holes after trans pars plana vitrectomy.

Key Words: Gas injection;Laser photocoagulation;Opened macular holes