A small hole in the central part of the light-sensitive tissue called retina is commonly known as macular hole. The central part of retina, called macula is responsible for sharp and central vision, which helps in activities like reading, driving and seeing fine details.
Generally, the conditions are seen in people who are above the age of 60, but patients with too much of nearsightedness can also face this issue. Severe injuries to eye can also result in this sight-threatening condition.
The symptoms of this condition are similar to the epiretinal membrane. Few of them include:
- A decrease in the ability to see fine details, while looking directly at an object. Distance does not have any effect.
- A feeling that a thick and dense layer is present in front of the organ that aids in seeing objects.
- The appearance of a dark spot in the centre of vision path.
- Straight lines or objects begin to look bent or wavy.
All the symptoms would only occur in the affected eye, while the other eye would not face a problem. It is quite rare that the condition appears in both eyes.
In a few cases, the holes would heal by themselves and would not require any surgery. In many cases, vitrectomy is suggested to improve the vision of the affected eye.
The most common risk for this surgery is rapid development of cataract. In many cases, it often becomes so severe that it requires removal of the layer. Other complications could be an infection or retinal detachment, both can be treated immediately.