Macular hole

The macular hole is a hole in the central part of the retina / macula /.

The macular hole is of unknown origin, but increasingly the formation of the hole is associated with changes in the vitreous. Over the years, the vitreous body shrinks and separates itself from the retina as it is a normal age process. In most cases this goes without complications. In some people, the vitreous may be more strongly attached to the retina and cause it to pull into the central part of the retina (macula). This is the first stage of the macular hole where we only have the macula pulled without a hole or so-called. vitreomacular traction syndrome. When the traction force continues, after a certain period a hole in the macula develops.

Patient complaints are the same as with most diseases of the central part of the retina:
– blurred vision
– Disclosure of images
– difficulty reading and inability to distinguish fine details
– a gray area and dark spots in the central field of vision

In modern times, a macular hole is diagnosed with OCT (Optical Coherent Tomography). It depicts layers of the retina and shows the exact stage and the size of the hole.

Treatment of the macular hole is surgical only. Removing the vitreous body along with the retinal tightening zones is at the heart of this surgical intervention.