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Anatomy Cataract General Conditions Retinal Detachment Diabetes Macular Degeneration Inflammation Trauma Investigations

What is the Macula?

The macula is the part of the retina for fine detail such as reading or recognising faces. It contains delicate receptors called cones which also provide colour vision. Distortion of vision (straight lines appearing to look bent, check your eyes by observing a rectangular window frame one eye at a time) is a common symtom of macular disease.

Macular Hole

A hole can appear in the macula (macular hole). This has a tendency to distort and reduce the vision. It is possible to close the hole to improve the vision by vitrectomy operation. This involves removing the jelly of the eye (vitrectomy) and inserting a gas bubble which remains  in the eye for a few weeks. The gas bubble floats in the eye and pushes on the hole.

• There is a chance the eye will develop a cataract in the next few years.

  The patient must not travel by aeroplane whilst the gas bubble is in the eye.

  2-6 months may be required for the eye to recover its best vision after surgery.

Macular Pucker
Sometimes a membrane appears that wrinkles the retina (macular pucker). This blurs your vision and causes distortion (bending or twisting of straight lines). 
It is possible to operate to try to remove the membrane. The operation involves removing the jelly of the eye (vitrectomy) and surgically peeling the membrane off the retina. This operation is usually effective in reducing the distortion and improving the vision. A cataract often appears afterwards.

Steroid Injections

These are currently being used to reverse swelling in the retina (cystoid macular oedema) from a variety of conditions such as diabetes and retinal vein occlusion. These scans show a swollen retina on the left which has been treated by steroid (on the right) with return of vision.

Disclaimer. The information provided in the Retina Surgery web site is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. Always check with your doctor if you have concerns about your condition or treatment. The authors of this web site and St Thomas’ hospital are not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the information contained in or implied by the information on the site.
(Information for Patients only provides a guide. It is important that you consult your ophthalmologist if you are experiencing problems with your eyes.)

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