What Is A Macular Hole?
A Macular Hole is a hole that develops in the center of the Macula, called the Fovea. The Macula and fovea are responsible for central vision. A Macular hole will cause blurring, distortion, and possible blind spots in the middle of your visual field.
What Can Cause A Macular Hole?
Macular holes are commonly caused by traction on the Macula from vitreous separation and trauma. Macular holes almost always develop as a result of the natural aging process, when the vitreous, the gel that fills most of the eye, thins and separates from the macula. This can produce a pull on the macula causing a hole to develop. Most cases of a macular hole occur in people over the age of 60.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Macular Hole?
At first a macular hole may only cause a small blurry or distorted area in the center of vision. As the hole grows over several weeks or months, central vision progressively worsens. Peripheral vision is not affected and there is no risk of blindness. Thicker puckers can create wrinkles or puckers in the macula resulting in some of the following symptoms:
- Eye injury
- Intraocular inflammation
- Retinal detachment
- Nearsightedness
- Macular pucker
What Are The Stages Of A Macular Hole?
There are three stages in the development of a macular hole, they are as follows:
- Stage 1 – foveal detachment
- Stage 2 – partial thickness macular hole
- Stage 3 – full thickness macular hole
Each stage can progress to the next if not treated. When a stage 3 macular hole develops, most of the central and detailed vision is lost.
How Can A Macular Hole Be Treated?
While some macular holes resolve on their own, in most cases surgery is required to effectively restore vision. The success rate of the surgery varies based on the severity of the condition. An outpatient procedure, known as a vitrectomy, is performed to replace the vitreous gel, and a gas bubble is injected into the eye to help close the hole. As the eye heals, the fluid is naturally replaced. There is no other non-surgical alternative to treat macular holes.
Left untreated, a macular hole can develop into a detached retina.
Without Macular Hole Surgery, Will I Lose My Vision?
Yes, if a Macular hole is not repaired in a timely manner, you can have permanent vision loss.
Schedule A Consultation
If you have questions or need more information about macular holes, please feel free to contact the Retina Specialists of Mississippi at 601.255.0736 or fill out the contact form by clicking here. We are proud to serve patients from across Mississippi in our locations in Hattiesburg, Meridian and Columbus, MS.
