Macular hole
Symptoms and causes
Symptoms and causesWhat is it?
With a macular hole, a hole has formed in the middle of the retina (macula, yellow spot). A macular hole leads to a loss of vision. Images will be perceived as distorted.
A macular hole occurs spontaneously, without a clear cause. If a macular hole is not surgically corrected, vision will be further impaired and result in worsened vision but not blindness.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis and treatmentDiagnosis
The physician will look into the eye to assess the macula. The pupil must be made as wide as possible to do so. Eye drops are used for this. An OCT scan can be performed to provide an even better picture of a macular pucker. The OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) can be used to get an image of the various macular layers and of any structures on or under the macula. This examination is painless and harmless.
Treatment
More information about the treatment can be found on the vitrectomy page.
Treatment centres and specialisations
Treatment centres and specialisations
Latest publication date: 26/12/2023
Supervising author: Dr Vanwynsberghe David
