Spontaneous resolution of retinal detachment occurring after macular hole surgery.

OBJECTIVE To document the spontaneous resolution of retinal detachment developing after macular hole surgery. METHODS We identified all patients who developed a postoperative retinal detachment after undergoing macular hole surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Mo; the surgery was performed by one of us (L.V.D.P. or H.J.K.) between 1991 and 1996. RESULTS Six of 73 eyes developed a postoperative retinal detachment; the retinal detachment was inferior in all cases. Two eyes that had inferior retinal breaks underwent further surgery to repair the retinal detachment. Retinal breaks could not be identified in the other 4 eyes; the retinal detachment resolved without further surgery in all 4 of these eyes. CONCLUSION The recognition that retinal detachment occurring after macular hole surgery can resolve without additional surgery may result in the avoidance of further surgical intervention in some eyes.