Viscoelastic agent retention and failed macular hole surgery
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
Implantation Protocol of the Foldable Capsular Vitreous Body for Complex Vitreoretinal Surgery
Published on: April 14, 2026
Daniele Veritti1, Paolo Lanzetta, Francesco Bandello
1From the *Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine; and †I.R.C.C.S. Fondazione G.B. Bietti, Rome, Italy.
Purpose:
To describe the retention of a viscoelastic agent as a possible cause of failed macular hole surgery.
Methods And Patients:
Three consecutive patients underwent macular hole surgery. A bubble of viscoelastic agent was used to prevent contact between indocyanine green dye and retinal pigment epithelium cells.
Results:
Macular hole repair failed in all three cases. After a second surgery the holes closed successfully.
Conclusion:
The use of a dispersive viscoelastic agent to avoid indocyanine green toxicity in macular hole surgery may prevent the closure of the hole.
