Acute full-thickness macular hole after uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To report the occurrence of a full thickness macular hole in the e arly postoperative period after uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of eyes referred fo r treatment of a full thickness macular hole after uncomplicated phacoemuls ification cataract surgery. RESULTS: Zn a 4-year period, five eyes with acute full-thickness macular ho le after uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery were examined. Metamorphopsia and vision loss had occurred 2 to 8 (mean, 4.4) days after p hacoemulsification. AU eyes had attained normal corrected vision on day 1 p ostoperatively. A stage 2 full-thickness macular hole was present in four o f the five, and a stage 3 full thickness macular hole in one of the five ey es with acuities of 20/60-20/120 (median, 20/80), All five eyes had success ful closure with early primary full-thickness macular hole surgery with vis ual improvement to 20/20-20/60 (median, 20/40), CONCLUSION: Full-thickness macular hole may occur rarely during the early p ostoperative period after uncomplicated phacoemulsification, and early diag nosis and full-thickness macular hole surgery carries a favorable prognosis , The mechanisms underlying macular hole formation in these eyes are unclea r. (Am J Ophthalmol 2001;131:799-800, (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).