Macular Hole Treatment & Management

1. Ma c u l a r Hol e T r e a t me nt & Ma na g e me nt A macular hole should never be ignored as it can result in pain in the eye. It can also result in changes to your vision. Regular eye exams are encouraged so such an issue can be identified early on. If you notice any symptoms of a problem or changes to vision, don’t wait until your next routine visit. Make the phone call to be seen as soon as possible. If the professional you see verifies you have a macular hole, they will often take a wait and see approach. It is important to keep all follow up appointments though. This allows them to see if the problem is getting worse. In some scenarios, the problem will start to heal on its own and they will just continue to evaluate it. The problem may not be getting any worse, and that is good too. No C ha ng e s t o V i s i on If you aren’t experiencing any pain and there aren’t changes to your vision, the doctor isn’t going to recommend anything further at that point in time. They don’t want to put you through a procedure that isn’t deemed as necessary. You may be asked to go in every 3 months or every 6 months though rather than annually so they can keep a very good eye on the situation. Some people have this issue for many years but there isn’t any change with it. They don’t pursue additional treatment under the advisement of their profession because it isn’t getting any worse. When there are changes, further action needs to be taken to resolve the issue. Don’t skip appointments or just assume you are doing fine because your vision isn’t hindered yet. I nj e c t i on

2. If there is pain or the vision is progressively getting worse, your professional may consider a procedure where your eye is injected with a type of gas bubble. This form of treatment is designed to help close the hole so it can heal without further treatment. Many patients are responsive to this, but not everyone is a good candidate. It has to be evaluated case by case. Should your doctor recommend this procedure, they can help you understand the risk factors as well as the possible outcomes. You will need to decide if it is a procedure you would like to take part in to help resolve the macular hole issue. There are scenarios where this form of treatment isn’t enough to fully resolve the issue. As a result, surgery may need to be discussed. S u r g e r y When a macular hole isn’t repairing itself or it is getting worse, your doctor may recommend surgery as the viable solution. This should only be considered when other options haven’t been favourable. While you will be awake for the procedure, you won’t feel anything as you will be given a local anesthetic. You will need to stay in recovery after the procedure for a few hours. If your vital signs are good you can be released to go home. You will need someone with you to drive you home and help you get settled afterwards. It is important to be ready for the recovery process in advance. You will need help with children or pets if they are part of your household. The surgery involves removing the fluid from the eye and replacing it with gas. In order to ensure proper healing, a special chair has to be used at home so the person can be face down for most of the day. It isn’t the most comfortable, but it is a necessary part of the healing process. It can take several weeks before a person can return to work and other activities. About Us: Your vision is too important to trust to just anyone. Retina Surgeon offers the best techniques and skilled technicians to help you. It doesn’t matter if you were referred to us by someone you know or your own eye doctor. Perhaps you are looking for a second opinion. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions and to be well informed about your options. Contact us for a consultation and to learn more about our procedures at. https://www.retinasurgeon.uk.com/ Our reputation speaks volumes about what we offer and how we treat our patients. It is important to take care of your vision needs as early as possible. Quality care can aid you with healing and improving your vision.