AIM: To explore the safety and efficacy of air tamponade in the closure of large idiopathic macular holes(IMHs).

METHODS: A retrospective study. Nine eyes of eight patients with large IMH were admitted to our hospital from June 2017 to may 2018. Mean macular hole(MH)minimum diameter >700 μm and mean MH basal diameter >1 300 μm. All the patients were underwent 25G phacovitrectomy, internal limiting membrane flaptuck, and sterilized air tamponade in the vitreous cavity. With a mean follow up of 12mo, the best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and macular hole closure were compared before and after operation.

RESULTS: At the last follow up, all the patients obtained MH closure. The SD-OCT showed that the postoperative MH closure rate was 100%(9/9). Postoperative BCVA improved significantly compared with the preoperative(0.83±0.26 vs 1.27±0.28), the difference was statistically significant(P=0.007). No complications occurred during and after the operation.

CONCLUSION: Sterilized air tamponade might provide a safe and efficient effect on the closure of large IMHs.