Gas versus GaslEss surgery for full thickness Macular hole (GEM): study protocol for a randomised, assessor-masked, surgical feasibility study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal gas tamponade has been the standard treatment for full-thickness macular holes (FTMHs) for the last 30 years. Gas tamponade has multiple drawbacks: it results in very poor vision for several weeks, limiting patients' ability to drive and work; many undertake intensive face-down posturing for about a week after surgery, to float the gas bubble onto the macula; gas is cataractogenic and prevents adequate fundus examination; it can elevate intraocular pressure, mandating regular hospital review; patients cannot fly and the fluorocarbon tamponades are extremely potent and long-lived greenhouse gases.Six uncontrolled retrospective case series have reported promising results utilising novel FTMH surgery without gas tamponade.The study

SUBMITTER: Murphy GSP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12742066 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature