TREATMENT OF PERSISTENTLY OPEN MACULAR HOLES WITH HEAVY SILICONE OIL (DENSIRON 68) VERSUS C2F6. A PROSPECTIVE...

To compare the efficacy of a mixture of silicone oil and perfluorohexyloctane (Densiron 68) with C2F6 gas endotamponade in the retreatment of persistently open full-thickness macular holes.

In this prospective randomized study, 21 consecutive patients who were unsuccessfully operated on for large idiopathic full-thickness macular hole were randomly assigned to undergo a second vitrectomy with 20% perfluoroethane gas (C2F6, Group A) or with Densiron 68 tamponade (Group B).

Endpoint (12 months) full-thickness macular hole closure rate by spectral domain optical coherence tomography and logMAR corrected distance visual acuity.

postoperative adverse events.

The mean diameter of macular holes before the second pars plana vitrectomy was 680.3 ± 120.8 μm and 740.5 ± 105.3 μm in Groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.237); mean preoperative corrected distance visual acuity was 0.96 ± 0.36 logMAR and 1.12 ± 0.35 logMAR, respectively (P = 0.315). Endpoint full-thickness macular hole closure was obtained in 30% of patients (3/10) in Group A and in 82% (9/11) in Group B (P = 0.030). Corrected distance visual acuities were, respectively, 0.80 ± 0.25 logMAR and 0.55 ± 0.20 logMAR, with significant intergroup difference (P = 0.019); corrected distance visual acuity increased in Group B only (P = 0.003). No differences in complications were found.

The results indicate that Densiron 68 tamponade could be a useful, safe, and more efficacious method than gas tamponade to retreat persisting macular holes.