Idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) are a relatively common retinal condition causing loss of central vision in patients over 50 years. They can be treated with vitrectomy, gas bubble injection and posturing with success in over 90% of cases. In a small number of patients, the hole either fails to close or reopens after initially succesful surgery. The success rate of reoperating on patients who had previously had succesful surgery is good, but is poor in patients whose macular holes failed to close after initial surgery.