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Title	Pneumatic release of focal vitreomacular traction
Abstract Nr.	1050

Purpose	To study the efficacy of a single intravitreal injection of expansile gas as a valuable alternative to current treatment options (conservative, pharmacological and surgical) in patients with symptomatic, focal vitreomacular traction (VMT).
Methods	Twenty eyes in 17 patients with symptomatic and persisting focal VMT were treated in an outpatient setting with an intravitreal gas injection of 0.2mL. In nineteen eyes 100% hexafluoroethane (C2F6) was used. One eye received sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). To all but three patients posturing advice was given. Patients were reviewed with a full eye examination and ocular coherence tomography (OCT) after 14 days and later. The primary outcome measure was the release of VMT on OCT.
Results	In 17 of 20 (85.0%) of treated eyes a release of VMT was achieved as documented on OCT. The release of VMT was diagnosed during the first month after injection in 11 eyes of 11 patients and within 3 months in 16 eyes of 15 patients. In all but 5 of our patients best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) remained stable or improved. In 4 patients the progression or development of cataract was the probable cause of the decrease of BCVA. One patient developed a stage II macular hole after injection and needed vitrectomy. None of the treated patients developed retinal breaks.
Conclusion	Intravitreal expansile gas injection could offer a minimally invasive, low-cost alternative treatment in patients with symptomatic, persisting VMT. Additional studies on a larger number of patients are required.
Conflict of interest	No

Authors 1

Last name	CLAUS
Initials	MG
Department	OLV Ziekenhuis Aalst
City	Aalst

Authors 2

Last name	Feron
Initials	E
Department	ZNA Middelheim
City	Antwerpen

Authors 3

Last name	Veckeneer
Initials	M
Department	ZNA Middelheim
City	Antwerpen