A macular hole occurs when a tear or opening forms in your macula. Objects in your central vision will become blurry, wavy, or distorted as the hole forms. As the hole grows more prominent, a dark or blind spot appears in your central vision but does not affect your peripheral vision. Straight lines or objects can begin to appear bent or wavy. Reading and other routine tasks become difficult to perform with the affected eye.
Typically, the vitreous pulls away without causing any incidents within the eye. However, the vitreous can sometimes adhere to the retina, resulting in macula stretching and a hole forming. Macular holes can develop as we age, while the vitreous begins to shrink and pull away from the retina over time.
Other risk factors include:
- Previous history of Retinal Tears or Detachments
- Diabetes
- Occlusions of the Retinal Veins
- Uveitis
Although some macular holes can close on their own and do not require treatment, surgery is often necessary to help improve vision. A vitrectomy is a surgical procedure involving removing the vitreous gel to prevent it from pulling on the retina and replacing it with a bubble containing a mixture of air and gas. The bubble acts as an internal, temporary bandage, holding the edge of the macular hole in place while it heals.
Make an appointment with one of our retina specialists now if you are experiencing the following symptoms listed above.
