About Macular Holes

A macular hole is a small break in the macula, which is located at the very center of the retina. The most common cause of macular holes is the normal aging process.

However, they can also occur due to eye injury, certain diseases, and inflammation inside the eye.
In a normal young eye, a substance called vitreous gel is firmly attached to the macula. With age, the vitreous becomes thinner and begins to separate from the retina. As the gel pulls away, a hole can sometimes form.

Macular holes often begin gradually and their affect on central vision can vary greatly depending on the severity of the problem. While partial holes usually cause only wavy, distorted, blurred vision, full-thickness macular holes can lead to a complete loss of central vision.

Macular Hole Symptoms

Some of the most common indicators of a macular hole include;

• Blurred central vision
• Distorted, “wavy” vision
• Difficulty reading or performing tasks that require seeing detail
• Gray area in central vision
• Central blind spot

The severity of symptoms depends on whether the hole is partial or full-thickness. If you believe you may have a macular hole, contact an eye doctor for immediate vision care. Our retina surgeons will conduct tests to confirm the presence of a macular hole and recommend treatment.

Treatment

• Some macular holes seal spontaneously and require no treatment. In many cases, however, an eye doctor at our practice will perform surgery to close the hole and restore vision.
• Macular hole surgery, your eye doctor will first gently remove the vitreous gel with a procedure called a vitrectomy. This eliminates any traction on the macula. Next, the doctors will remove any membranes from the surface of the macula which could prevent the edges of the hole from lying flat. The doctor will then inject a gas bubble into the eye to help remove subretinal fluid and help the hole to seal. After the bubble has dissipated and the eye has healed, many patients enjoy functional vision.