Age related or idiopathic macular hole causes a distortion of vision, affecting the central vision.
It occurs mostly as a consequence of the Vitreous Detaching from the Retina, and taking a part of the most sensitive part of the Retina - fovea along with it.
Sometimes this occurs due to trauma to eye as well, where the mechanism remains same.
Some of the common questions we get from people affected with macular hole are:
What are the chances of getting it in the other eye?
Chances of getting a hole in the other eye are about 30%
What is the treatment for this?
Treatment is largely surgical with Vitrectomy and peeling a membrane on the macula, the Internal Limiting Membrane (ILM) and filling the eye with gas which enhances hole closure.
When should I get operated?
While this is not an emergency, the retina is a sensitive area of the eye, any delays result in further degeneration of the retina, and lesser chances of recovery post the surgery. It's advisable to get operated earliest possible.
What are the chances of losing vision in case I do not get operated?
While it's safe to say that in case not operated, the affected eye and person will not go blind, however the central vision is likely to stay impacted and may get worsened as time goes by. The severity of vision loss is largely determined by the size of the macular hole
What are the potential complications of macular hole surgery ?
Development of cataract post the surgery is common (although not a complication) - we may therefore recommend a cataract surgery along with / before / after the macular hole surgery - depending on the severity of the pre-existing lens changes.
We are also concerned of chances of development of Retinal Detachment post the procedure - for which laser may be added during the surgery
All precautions are taken so that you may not catch an infection post the surgery - so we will recommend blood tests, control of blood sugar, head bath, use of antibiotic eye drops prior to the surgery.
The above notes and recommendations are only to guide you regarding the condition, the final advice and decisions will be taken by the operating surgeon based on the eye exam and various other factors during your consultation.
For further details, access to high quality, best eye care, by among the top eye surgeons you can request an appointment with Dr. Mayank Bansal MD (AIIMS) FRCS(UK), by WhatsApp message on 8178519983 or click on link below.
