What is the best treatment for Macular Hole?
DEC 09, 2010
Question:
My husband's doctor has told him he has a macular hole. I would like to know a little more about that and what is the best treatment for it. Thank you.
Answer:
A macular hole is a defect or "hole" in the center of the retina, which is called the macula. This usually causes blurred central vision and distortion, but the peripheral vision remains normal. If left untreated, most people with macular hole will lose vision to the 20/200 to 20/400 level in the affected eye. Macular hole can occur in both eyes in about 10 percent of people with a macular hole in one eye. The treatment for macular hole is an operation called vitrectomy with placement of a gas bubble into the eye. This surgery fixes the macular hole in more than 90 percent of people and results in reading vision in about 50 percent of people. The longer the macular hole has been present, the worse the visual prognosis. Your surgeon will discuss with the potential risks of the surgery.