Macular Hole Surgery
What is a Macular Hole?
A macular hole is a condition where a very small hole has developed right in the center of the retina in an area that is responsible for our sharpest vision. The part of the eye affected is called the macula. The macula is made up of special nerve cells that provide us with the sharp central vision we need for seeing fine detail (reading and driving etc.). When a macular hole develops, you will suffer from symptoms such as a dark area right in the center of your vision, distortion, or general blurring.
The normal anatomy of the eye
*Image courtesy of the National Eye Institute http://www.nei.nih.gov
Why do I have a Macular Hole?
We do not know why people develop macular holes. However, we do know that it occurs more often in patients later in life (60’s and older) and occurs more often in females. Macular holes are not related to macular degeneration. If you have a macular hole you have less than a 25% risk of developing a macular hole in your fellow eye.
Assessment for Macular Hole
We are able to detect a macular hole during an eye examination. Sometimes, a special scan of the back of the eye (Optical Coherence Tomography) may be needed to confirm the presence of a macular hole. If a macular hole is present, your surgeon will likely recommend a surgical procedure to try to close the hole and improve your vision. Surgery is the only way to treat a macular hole, there are no eye drops or medications that you can take that will help.
Outcomes of Macular Hole Surgery
Although a majority of our patients experience improved vision after surgery, there are a small percentage of patients that do not have an improvement in vision even after successful and uncomplicated surgery. Patients that do not have a significant improvement in vision after surgery despite closure of the macular hole often have had their macular hole for a longer period of time (greater than 1 year).
If you elect to proceed with macular hole surgery, here are the outcomes that you can expect: 1. 95% chance of macular hole closure with one surgery This assumes that you comply with face down positioning after the surgery. You need to keep in mind that our goal is to maximize the vision in your affected eye. Even after successful surgery, your vision will likely never be as good as it was prior to the onset of your symptoms.
Risks of Macular Hole Surgery
There are several risks associated with macular hole surgery that you need to be fully aware of prior to electing to proceed with surgery. The most common are as follows:
- 1 in 1000 risk of infection (endophthalmitis). Anytime surgery is performed on the eye infection is a possible complication. Sterile technique is used during the procedure to minimize risk of infection. Despite this, there is a very small chance that an infection can occur. If such an infection does occur it can be treated, although it may leave you with worse vision or in severe cases lead to blindness.
- 1 in 1000 risk of bleeding. Anytime surgery is performed on the eye bleeding is a possible complication. This can occur in or around the eye and can lead to permanent vision loss. We will review any medications you are taking prior to surgery to ensure you are not taking any blood thinners that can increase your risk of bleeding.
- 5% risk of retinal tear or detachment. Anytime vitrectomy surgery is performed there is a small chance of developing a tear in the retina which can lead to a detachment during or after surgery. We will carefully examine your eye at the end of surgery to ensure you have no retinal tears. If you do have a retinal tear we will treat it at that time with laser treatment.
- Progression of cataract. If you have not yet had cataract surgery, having vitrectomy surgery will accelerate progression of cataract in that eye. Although not always the case, you can expect to need cataract surgery within a year of vitrectomy surgery in the operated eye.
The Surgical Procedure
Macular hole surgery involves a vitrectomy and membrane peeling. We use the most advanced surgical equipment and techniques available for macular hole surgery. The surgery involves making 3 holes in the eye and using instruments to remove the jelly-like substance that normally fills the center of the eye, called the vitreous humor (vitrectomy). The removal of the vitreous inside the eye does not cause any permanent harm. The vitreous is replaced by natural fluid produced inside the eye. A thin membrane on the surface of the retina surrounding the macular hole is then physically peeled off the retina with a fine forceps (membrane peeling). The eye is then filled with an inert gas which will slowly diffuse out of the eye over 4-6 weeks. The holes made in your eye are made in a fashion that allow them to close and heal on their own; usually no stitches are needed to close them. The surgery usually takes less than one hour to perform. It is typically performed the under local anesthesia so that you are awake and comfortable during the procedure and have minimal complications from anesthesia postoperatively. If you are awake, it is very important for you stay still during surgery.
What should I expect following surgery?
After the surgery you will have an eye shield placed on your eye. Once you get to the recovery room you will be placed in a face-down position. Do not remove your eye shield until we see you in the clinic the following day when we will remove it for you. You will be given instructions on which eye drops to use and all your restrictions at this time. You do not need to use any eye drops the night after surgery. Please bring all your eye drops to this first postoperative visit. Most patients have minimal discomfort after surgery. If you have some pain we recommend you take Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Avoid Aspirin or Ibuprofen as this can increase risk of bleeding. When your eye shield is taken off your vision will typically be more blurred because of the gas bubble in your eye. Your vision will improve once the gas bubble dissipates in 4-6 weeks.
Face Down Positioning
It is very important that you position face down for the amount of time advised by your surgeon. You need to be in this position so the gas bubble remains in the appropriate position to help the macular hole close. If you do not position your macular hole may not close. We can provide you with information on renting massage tables that patients often use to make face down positioning more comfortable and easier.
Further Information
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this or any other information please call our office at 614-464-3937.