Macular Hole Surgery
A macular hole should not be confused with macular degeneration. They are two separate conditions with similar symptoms, such as blurred or distorted vision.
For every 100,000 people in the general population, 7.8 will develop a macular hole. The vast majority of people who get macular holes are older adults. With macular hole surgery, your vision will improve. Left untreated, macular holes can cause significant vision loss.
What Is a Macular Hole?
A macular hole is a small break in the lining at the very center of the macula, the part of the retina responsible for distinguishing fine details that allow you to read, drive, and perceive facial features. Usually occurring in people over 60, a macular hole can cause a dark or blind spot to appear in your central vision.
What Causes A Macular Hole?
As we age, the vitreous gel inside the eye shrinks naturally and pulls away from the retina. Sometimes the vitreous gel can pull on the retina, causing a macular hole. There are several conditions that increase the risk of macular hole formation:
- Eye injury or trauma
- Diabetic retinopathy
- High myopia
- Macular pucker
- Retinal detachment
What Are the Symptoms of a Macular Hole?
It is important to seek medical care as soon as you notice any changes to vision, as people that have had a macular hole for less than six months have a better chance of recovering vision than those who have had one for a longer period.
Many people don’t realize they have a macular hole, since the symptoms are subtle and painless. The most common symptom is distorted or blurred vision, or dark spots that form in the central visual field. Straight lines and objects may appear bent or wavy. Activities that require fine detail can become more challenging.
Macular Hole Surgery
A vitrectomy, a surgical procedure, is the most common treatment for macular holes. During the surgery, your eye doctor removes the vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye, helping to relieve any traction caused by the gel pulling away from the retinal surface that tugs on the macula. Once the gel is removed, the eye is filled with a special gas bubble, which helps to flatten the edges of the macular hole. The bubble acts as an internal, temporary ‘bandage’ that holds the edge of the macular hole in place as it heals. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia, often on an out-patient basis.
Following the surgery, all patients must remain in a face-down position for a day or two; in some cases, the patient needs to remain in this position for two to three weeks. The reason you need to stay in a face-down position is to allow the bubble to press against the macula. The bubble goes away over time and the natural eye fluid takes its place while the hole heals.
While maintaining a face-down position can be difficult, it is crucial for recovery. It is important to thoroughly discuss the recovery period with your eye doctor, who can recommend different types of face-down positioning equipment for both daytime and nighttime use during the recovery period.
Regular comprehensive eye exams allow your eye doctor to diagnose macular holes and other serious eye conditions. Early detection can prevent or minimize permanent eye damage. For more information and to schedule an appointment, contact Opthalmology Practice Name, and schedule an appointment today.
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