[Macular hole surgery without postoperatory <<face>> down positioning. Pilot study].

Purpose: To evaluate the visual and anatomical outcomes of macular hole surgery using phacoemulsification, vitrectomy and intraocular gas tamponade without the use of postoperative face down positioning.
Methods: Phacoemulsification with an intraocular lens implant, followed by vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and perfluoropropane (C3F8), was performed in patients with stage 3 or 4 macular holes. After surgery, patients had to avoid the supine position for 15 days. Patients with a gas level <50% during the first week had a fluid-gas exchange. Visual acuity and closure of the macular hole were evaluated after 1 year of follow-up.
Results: 20 eyes of 20 patients, aged 60 to 75 years (median age 68 years), were included in this study. The best initial visual acuity ranged from 0.05 to 0.13 (ETDRS), with the median being 0.06. The final visual acuity was 0.05 to 0.30 with a median of 0.10. A statistically significant improvement (p=0.001, Wilcoxon) was found. The anatomic postoperative results revealed 90% (n=18) of the macular holes were closed while 10% (n=2) were not.
Conclusions: Macular hole surgery has, in general, good results and patients can achieve improvement in their visual acuity without the need for uncomfortable and unbearable post operative posture positions.