Treatment of Symptomatic Vitreomacular Adhesion with Expansile Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Gas

BACKGROUND: To evaluate intravitreal injection of expansile sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as a low cost and effective treatment for symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (sVMA). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients with sVMA treated with pneumatic vitreolysis using SF6 gas presenting to a clinical practice from January 2005 and June 2013. RESULTS: Six cases were included in the study. Five patients (83%) experienced complete resolution of the vitreomacular adhesion. One patient had a partial release of the vitreomacular adhesion. Four patients (67%) had a one line improvement in best corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Due to its low cost, wide availability, and apparent efficacy, intravitreal injection of expansile SF6 should be investigated further as a possible treatment modality for sVMA.