Positioning patient face-down could improve chances of macula hole closure

Positioning patients face down after surgery could improve chances of macula hole closure, according to a study in the journal Eye.

The randomized, controlled trial, led by Dr J. Bainbridge, included 30 phakic eyes of 30 subjects with idiopathic full-thickness macula holes. Each patient underwent vitrectomy with dye-assisted peeling of the ILM and 14% perfluoropropane gas.

Participants were randomized into two groups. Group 1, the posturing group, were positioned face-down for 10 days and group 2, the non-posturing group, were to avoid a face-up position. The primary measure was anatomical macula hole closure.

The results revealed that macula holes closed in 14 of the 15 eyes in group 1 and in 9 of 15 eyes in group 2. Macula holes smaller than 400μm closed regardless of posturing. In 10 of the 11 remaining group 1 eyes holes larger than 400μm closed and 4 of 10 eyes in group 2.