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.