MACULAR HOLE

When an elderly person, or someone with high degree myopia develops a gradual decrease in their central vision, they may have a problem with the macula – one of the problems is a macular hole.

What is a Macular Hole?

A macular hole occurs when there is a tear in the macula, the central part of the retina that is responsible for processing detailed images (Find out how the eye works). The macula is the central and most sensitive part of the retina.

Macular Hole
 

What causes Macular Holes?

Macular holes usually occur due to stress on the macula. The eye is filled with a clear jelly called the vitreous. When one ages, the vitreous usually becomes more liquefied and may pull on the macula. This may result in a tear of the macula, forming a macular hole. Another cause of macular hole is high myopia, where the elongation of the eyeball puts stress on the macula, causing it to break.

What are the symptoms of a Macular Hole?

Some symptoms of a macula hole include a gradual worsening of central vision or visual distortion (seeing straight lines as wavy). The best way to detect macula hole is through an eye examination. Your eye doctor will administer eye drops to enlarge the pupils temporarily so that he or she can check the back of your eyes (the retina) for holes. The eyes are also painlessly scanned with optical coherence tomography (a light used to check the different layers of the retina) to evaluate the macula.

What treatment is there for Macular Hole?

Macular holes may be treated with a vitrectomy, a form of keyhole surgery that uses small probes to enter inside the eye to remove the vitreous. A gas is then injected into the eye to replace the vitreous and prevent it from pulling on the retina. Following surgery, the patient will need to lie in a face-down position for one to two weeks to allow the gas bubble to press against the macula and seal the hole. The eye will refill naturally with fluid. The success of improving the vision varies from person to person and ranges from 60 to 80 per cent.

Please visit the following relevant links :-

Vitreo-Retinal Service
Outcome Results on Vitreo-Retina Procedure
Vitreo-Retina Clinical Staff
I Want an Eye Examination / an Appointment
Importance of Eye Examination
How The Eye Works
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