From 1984 to 1992, 128 eyes with substantial retinal detechment due to
macular hole underwent vitrectomy at the Ideta Eye Hospital. In the f
irst 76 eyes treated, air was injected by syringe after removal of the
vitreous (group A); in the subsequent 52 eyes, air was injected by a
pump while subretinal fluid was aspirated through the macular hole (gr
oup B). The rates of retinal reattachment after the first surgery were
63.2% in group A and 82.7% in group B (P < .05). Thus, using the air
pump was more effective than air injection.