To examine the results of macular hole surgery using pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), triamcinolone-assisted peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM), and intravitreous air in idiopathic stage 2 and 3 macular holes.

Thirteen eyes of 13 consecutive patients with idiopathic macular hole underwent a PPV with triamcinolone-assisted ILM peeling and intravitreous air tamponade. An air-fluid exchange was performed and the patient was asked to maintain a face-down position at home for 4 days. The follow-up period was 6 months or more in all cases. If a significant cataract was present before surgery, a combined phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation was performed at the time of the macular hole surgery. The closure of the macular hole was determined by biomicroscopy and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).

The idiopathic macular hole was closed after the primary operation in all 13 patients. The postoperative visual acuities (0.1 to 0.9) significantly improved from the preoperative visual acuities (0.02 to 0.4) in all eyes. There was no recurrence of the macular hole and there were no adverse effects of the intraoperative use of triamcinolone and ILM peeling during the follow-up period.

This study suggests that triamcinolone-assisted ILM peeling with intravitreous air may be an effective technique for stage 2 and 3 macular holes. This procedure could reduce the face-down position time and improve early visual rehabilitation by using air instead of long-acting gas tamponade.