Posterior chamber compartments demonstrated by optical coherence tomography, in silicone-filled eyes, following macular hole surgery

PURPOSE: To report visualization with optical coherence tomography of a prefoveal space in silicone oil-filled eyes following surgery for idiopathic macular hole. METHODS: Seven eyes of seven consecutive patients undergoing macular hole surgery with silicone oil tamponade were prospectively evaluated with optical coherence tomography preoperatively, on the first postoperative day, after 6 weeks and before removal of silicone oil. RESULTS: In all seven eyes the posterior face of the silicone oil bubble was visualized with optical coherence tomography. In all of these patients, who had a silicone oil fill of over 90%, the silicone oil bubble in the upright position did not conform to the foveal depression. Closure of the macular hole was achieved in all seven eyes after one operation. CONCLUSIONS: Macular hole closure can occur without complete tamponade of the central fovea. A prefoveal space can be visualized in silicone oil-filled eyes. Concentration of growth factors, adjuvants and indocyanine green in this compartment may influence postoperative visual outcome, as may changes in retinal homeostasis induced by removal of silicone oil.