SF6 Assisted Pneumatic Vitreolysis in Cases of Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of Intravitreal expansile sulfur hexafluoride gas injection (SF₆) for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular traction (VMT) syndrome.

Study Design: Prospective interventional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Eye unit-III, Institute of Ophthalmology, King Edward Medical University, Mayo Hospital Lahore. Study was conducted from September 2017 to February 2018.

Material and Methods: A total of 21 eyes were included in the study who presented with VMT diagnosed on optical coherence tomography findings including patients whose VMT was associated with epiretinal membrane and VMT in patients of Diabetic Retinopathy. Symptomatic patients with VMT were offered the option of intravitreal SF6 injection. Patients were included in this study after meeting specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results: Total 21 patients were included in this study. Mean age was 57.80 ± 10.77 years. Mean value for pre injection mean foveal thickness was 506.33 ± 192.37 and post injection mean foveal thickness was 383.61 ± 270.37. Significant decreases in post injection mean foveal thickness was seen in patients (p-value = 0.053). After 1^st week follow up VMT release was seen in only 3 (14.3%) patients and at 1^st month follow up VMT release was seen in 9 (42.9%) patients.

Conclusion: Intravitreal SF6 gas injection is safe, cheaper and effective alternative for VMT treatment in terms of better results when compared with intravitreal ocriplasmin. Although its efficacy is not comparable with vitrectomy.

Key Words: Vitreomacular traction, Sulfur hexafluoride, Macula, Ocriplasmin, Vitrectomy.