Macular Hole Treatment
If you’ve been diagnosed with a macular hole, or have been experiencing blurred vision, our state-of-the-art treatment can help. At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease, we offer surgical and non-surgical options, designed to close the hole and improve your vision.
What is a Macular Hole?
A macular hole occurs when there is a small break in the macula, which is the central part of your retina that allows you to see fine details clearly. Macular hole formation typically results from the natural aging process, particularly due to the gradual shrinkage of the vitreous (the gel filling the space between your lens and retina). This condition can lead to blurred vision, making it difficult to read, drive, or recognize faces.
Symptoms of a Macular Hole Can Include:
- Blurred or distorted central vision
- Difficulty reading small print
- Straight lines appearing wavy
- A dark spot in the center of vision
- Trouble recognizing faces
- Decreased sharpness of vision
- Difficulty seeing fine details
- Central vision loss in one eye
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Some common causes of a macular hole include:
- When the gel inside the eye pulls away from the retina (posterior vitreous detachment)
- When the retina separates from its normal position in the eye (retinal detachment)
- A macular hole that is related to aging (known as an idiopathic macular hole)
- A macular hole that occurs in older adults, without a clear cause (idiopathic senile macular hole)
Benefits of Receiving Treatment
There are many benefits to receiving treatment for a macular hole, including:
- Improved central vision
- Prevention of further vision loss
- Minimized symptoms like blurred vision and distorted vision
- Reduced risk of complications such as retinal detachment or the macular hole reopening
Are You a Candidate For Macular
Hole Treatment?
You might be a candidate for macular hole treatment if you have been diagnosed with:
- Partial thickness macular hole (a hole that does not extend through all layers of the macula)
- Full thickness macular hole (a complete tear or hole through all layers of the macula)
- Macular hole with retinal detachment (a condition where the macular hole also involves the retina pulling away, leading to severe vision problems and requiring urgent treatment)
What to Expect
Your eye specialist at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease will evaluate your eyes and ask questions about any symptoms you’ve been experiencing. If a macular hole is detected, there are several treatment options for addressing it, depending on your specific situation. They can include the below:
- Vitrectomy Surgery: This is the most common treatment for a macular hole. During vitrectomy surgery, the vitreous gel that is pulling on the retina is removed and replaced with a gas bubble. The gas bubble acts as a temporary bandage that helps flatten the macular hole and allows it to heal. Over time, the gas bubble is gradually absorbed by the eye’s natural fluids, and vision improvement follows as the hole closes. This procedure is typically performed as an outpatient surgery under local anesthesia.
- Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling: Often performed in conjunction with vitrectomy, this procedure involves peeling away a thin layer of tissue on the surface of the retina near the macular hole. This helps to reduce traction on the retina and promotes the closure of the macular hole. The peeling process can potentially increase the success rate of the surgery.
- Injection of Medication: In certain cases, an injection of medication into the eye can help close the macular hole without the need for surgery. This treatment is typically reserved for select patients with smaller holes or those who might not be ideal candidates for vitrectomy. The medication works by releasing the traction on the retina, allowing the hole to close naturally.
After these treatments, maintaining a facedown position is often recommended for a period of time to help the gas bubble press against the macula, promoting healing. Your Center for Retina and Macular Disease eye specialist will guide you on the appropriate post-operative care and follow-up visits to monitor your recovery.
Potential Risks
As with any procedure, macular hole treatment has some risks. These can include infection, retinal detachment, increased intraocular pressure, and the development of cataracts. Our skilled team at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease takes every precaution to minimize these risks and increase your chances of a successful macular hole surgery.
Signs You Should Meet with an Eye Specialist in the Center for Retina and Macular Disease
If you experience any of the following, it’s important to seek evaluation and treatment:
- Sudden blurred vision or loss of central vision
- Distortion in vision, such as seeing straight lines as wavy
- Flashes of light or new floaters
- Difficulty reading or seeing fine details
- Vision loss in one eye
Macular Hole Treatment with Center for Retina and Macular Disease
At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease, our team specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of retinal conditions, including macular holes. With advanced techniques such as pars plana vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling, our goal is to restore your vision and improve your quality of life. Our experienced eye surgeons provide personalized care, ensuring that each patient receives the best possible treatment for their condition.
If you’re ready to explore your treatment options for macular holes, contact the Center for Retina and Macular Disease today to schedule your consultation.