Macular Hole/Pucker
What is a macular hole?
A macular hole is a small break in the macula.
What is a macular pucker?
A macular pucker is when wrinkles, creases, or bugles form on the normally smooth macula due to scar tissue.
What are the symptoms of a macular hole?
In the early stages of hole formation, your central vision becomes blurred and distorted. If the hole progresses, a blind spot develops in your central vision and impairs the ability to see at both distant and close range.
What are the symptoms of a macular pucker?
Macular pucker symptoms can range from mild to severe and may involve one or both eyes. They may include:
- Blurred central vision
- Distorted or wavy vision
- Difficulty reading or performing tasks that require detail vision
- Gray and/or cloudy area in central vision
- Central blind spot
How is a macular hole treated?
Vitrectomy surgery, an outpatient procedure, is the most effective treatment to repair a macular hole and possibly improve vision. The outcome of this procedure may depend on the size of the hole and how long it was present before surgery. The amount of vision recovery can vary.
How is a macular pucker treated?
For mild symptoms, no treatment may be necessary. Updating your eyeglass prescription or wearing bifocals may improve vision. Eyedrops, medicines, or laser surgery do not improve vision.
For more severe symptoms, vitrectomy surgery is recommended to remove the wrinkled tissue. Once it’s gone, the macula flattens and vision slowly improves, though it usually does not return all the way to normal. You should consider surgery if your blurred vision is interfering with your daily activities.
What are some common retinal diseases and conditions?
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical care and should not be used as a substitute for a physician's advice or diagnosis. San Antonio Eye Center is not liable for any outcome or damages resulting from information obtained in this website in either an indirect or direct form.