Six cases of retinal detachment from the macular hole were treated by a procedure including closed vitrectomy, air-fluid exchange, and prone positioning of the patient. All of these detachments were of the idiopathic type. Five patients had myopia ranging from -13 to -20 diopters; one was emmetropic. The initial success rate can be considered 100%: in all six cases the retina remained attached during follow-up periods ranging from 4-10 months at least. One later recurrence was not caused by the macular hole. This new technique, which allows permanent releasing of vitreous traction and temporary closure of the hole, shows that idiopathic retinal detachment is caused by vitreous traction.