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Macular
Hole
This
is a condition in which the central vision in the eye
is lost as a result of a break or hole forming in the
center of the retina resulting in blurring or loss of
vision centrally.
Peripheral vision is maintained.
The only treatment for this is surgery.
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This
involves a procedure called a vitrectomy in which the
vitreous gel is removed and replaced with gas, filling
the back of the eye with gas.
The patient will then have to assume a face down position
for one week 18 hrs/day - the idea is that the gas then
pushes against the hole at the back of the eye closing
it and partially or almost fully restoring vision to
this eye.
There
are potential complications to performing this surgery,
these are some of them:
-CATARACT - this develops in the majority of patients
but can be dealt with relatively easily by your referring
ophthalmologist or through this office if you are from
the Kamloops area.
-RETINAL DETACHMENT - this is a potentially blinding
complication this occurs in about 5 - 10% of patients
the majority of these are treatable with additional
surgery or laser but if the retinal detachment cannot
be repaired then blindness will ensue
-GLAUCOMA - this is usually a temporary problem following
macular hole surgery
-INFECTION - is a potentially blinding but fortunately
rare complication. The majority of macular holes are
successfully closed -about 85 -90 % with an improvement
in vision to at least some degree.
To
help with positioning post operative a body
cushion is recommended - see link
More
information on Macular
Hole
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