subject: The Basics of Macular Hole Treatment [print this page] The macula is a very small spot in the center of the back of the eye (retina) that sees clear, colored vision. The other part of the retina is composed of rods that see movements. So it can be pretty scary if a hole develops in this part of the eye. Aside from a blurry vision, macular holes can also affect night vision and peripheral vision.
Macular Hole Surgery are more likely to develop in people around the age of 60. Holes in the macula can occur due to vitreous shrinkage and/or separation, eye injury or a detached retina. Although the development of macular disorder is yet to be determined, it most likely occur from the vitreous.
A vitreous is a gel like material that fills the back of the eye. Also called the vitreous body, this helps keep the eye its shape. However, the vitreous shrinks with aging. As it shrinks it can pull on the retina, referred to as a hole.
If macular hole is untreated, it can get worse over time. In some cases, macular hole can be fixed sometimes without intervention. However, in most cases, it requires treatment to avoid total loss of vision.
A vitrectomy is a common treatment for macular holes. This Macular Hole Surgery is done by removing the vitreous gel to stop it from pulling on the retina. Then a retinal specialist inserts air bubbles and gas into the space once occupied by the vitreous allowing the macula to heal. The bubbles gradually fades over time and natural eye fluids will take its place.
The surgery itself is easy but the post operation period can be tough. The patient must lie face down for days so that the bubble stays in the right place in the eye. Traveling by air is also not an option as the changes in pressure can cause eye damage.
Remember that most of the patients are not worried about the process of doing the surgery, but the post-surgery effects it can cause. Although the removal of the gel will fix the problem for the macular hole, it heightens the risk of developing other eye problems such as cataract.
Common risks of this surgery include retinal detachment and infection or even high grades of cataract development. Infection and retinal detachment are treatable and cataracts can be removed once the eye has healed. However, most of the patients who went through several eye surgeries develop the types of cataract and eventually led to blindness and other serious eye defects.
These are just some of the things that we should know about eye treatments. There is always a complication in every surgery. The positive side of it might be clearer vision and removal of the defect. However, there are things that we cannot avoid such as the aftershocks, should I say.
After the surgery, it is very beneficial to follow the medications religiously and make sure that the recovery guidelines are being observed. In this way, we can lessen the greater risk of acquiring other complicated eye defects that might lead us to total loss of vision.
The Basics of Macular Hole Treatment
By: scheygen smith
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