Long-term follow-up of retinal detachment due to macular hole in myopic eyes treated by temporary silicone oil tamponade and laser photocoagulation

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the long-term anatomic and functional results of temporary silicone oil tamponade coupled with laser photocoagulation of the macular hole rim for retinal detachment due to macular hole in eyes with myopia higher than -10.0 diopters (D).

Design: Retrospective, noncomparative case series.

Participants: Eleven patients (9 female, 2 male; average age, 57+/-3 years) with spontaneous retinal detachment due to macular hole. All patients had a myopia higher than -10.0 D and had no proliferative vitreoretinopathy and no history of trauma. The average myopia amounted to -17.7+/-1.1 D, and in eight cases, a large posterior staphyloma was present. Follow-up was 69+/-17 months.

Intervention: Patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy, temporary silicone oil tamponade, and laser photocoagulation of the macular hole rim. Silicone oil removal was performed after 2.8+/-0.8 months.

Main outcome measures: Anatomic attachment of the retina was determined and visual acuity was measured.

Results: Final successful retinal attachment at the end of follow-up was achieved in ten eyes (91 %). Average logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity increased from 1.39+/-0.12 before surgery to 1.18+/-0.13 after surgery (P < 0.05, Student's t test for paired data). This corresponds to a mean increase of measured Snellen equivalents from 0.06+/-0.03 to 1.11+/-0.04. Intraocular pressures remained stable with 13.9+/-1.8 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) before surgery and 16.6+/-1.6 mmHg at the end of follow-up (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Primary vitrectomy with temporary silicone oil tamponade and laser photocoagulation of the macular hole rim for retinal detachment due to macular hole in highly myopic eyes appears to provide a good long-term anatomic success and acceptable functional results.