Extramacular drainage of subretinal fluid during vitrectomy for macular hole retinal detachment in high myopia.

PURPOSE: To compare surgical outcomes between subretinal fluid drainage through the macular hole (MH) and through sites other than the MH during vitrectomy for MH retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed on the medical records of 41 patients who underwent vitrectomy for MH retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes. Group M included eyes in which subretinal fluid was drained through MH. Group E included eyes in which subretinal fluid was drained through an extramacular break or retinotomy. Pre- and postoperative visual acuity, reattachment rate, and MH closure rate were investigated.

RESULTS

Primary retinal reattachment was achieved in 13 of 21 eyes (62%) in Group M and in 19 of 20 eyes (95%) in Group E (P = 0.020). The MH was closed more frequently in Group E (15 eyes) than in Group M (7 eyes; P = 0.012). Ambulatory vision of 20/400 or better was achieved in 16 eyes in Group E and in 10 eyes in Group M (P = 0.033).

CONCLUSION

Extramacular drainage of subretinal fluid resulted in better outcomes than the conventional procedure of drainage through the MH.