Is a Macular Hole Serious?
Submitted by Elman Retina Group on May 15, 2020
The retinal specialists at Elman Retina Group understand that being diagnosed with a macular hole can be scary. If you have been told you have a macular hole, you might feel anxious about what it means for the future of your eyesight. But our team wants to reassure you that macular holes can be treated.
Take a moment to learn more about the causes, treatment and prognosis of macular holes.
Why Do Macular Holes Form?
The center of the eye is filled with a clear, jelly-like material known as vitreous. As we age, the vitreous starts to shrink, liquify and pull away from the retina. In some people, the vitreous can stick to the retina and tug on the macula, or the central portion of the retina. As the vitreous pulls on the macular tissue, a hole can form.
In addition to age-related factors, other causes of macular holes include macular edema, eye diseases, trauma, extreme nearsightedness and underlying health conditions.
How Do I Know If There’s a Problem?
Macular holes cause diminished central vision. Depending on the severity of the macular hole, it can cause blind spots or distortion in the center of the visual field. Faces may be hard to recognize, objects may be blurry or straight lines may appear wavy.
Outlook and Prognosis
Macular holes rarely heal on their own. Large macular holes require surgery to repair the problem and improve vision.
The surgical treatment for a macular hole is called vitrectomy. During the procedure, the vitreous is removed and a gas bubble is placed in the eye to help facilitate the repair of the macular hole.
Repairing a macular hole does not always restore vision to perfect condition. Some patients continue to have minor distortion or blind spots after surgery. However, there is noticeable visual improvement. Repairing the macular hole also prevents vision from getting worse.
Macular hole repair is a very delicate surgery that requires the skill of an outstanding surgeon. At Elman Retina Group, our retinal specialists have extensive experience with this surgery, and use the most advanced techniques and technology. We understand the diagnosis can be stressful, but we will be with you every step of the way to answer questions and address your concerns.
Contact Elman Retina Group
If you have been diagnosed with a macular hole, please contact Elman Retina Group to request a consultation with one of our experienced retinal specialists.
