Macular pucker and macular holes
With age, the clear gel (vitreous) that fills your eye degenerates into liquid and interacts with your retina – the thin film in the back of your eye that is responsible for capturing the visual images that you see. Vitreous degeneration is a natural process that typically occurs between the ages of 40 to 70. It usually produces no problems, however, if your vitreous gel degenerates abnormally, it can pull too hard on your retina, creating a traction that can cause problems like macular holes or macular pucker.
What is macular pucker?
The macula of your eye is the center of your retina that gives you the super-sharp vision you need to see fine details. When retinal wrinkling occurs in the macula, it’s called “macular pucker.”
If you take a sheet of clear cellophane and stretch it tight before your eyes, you can see right through it. However, if you wrinkle the cellophane and try to see through it, the images become distorted or even impossible to see. This is similar to what happens to your vision when a macular pucker occurs in your eye. Most cases are mild, but some can cause distortion and significant vision loss. Thankfully, this can be corrected.
What is a macular hole?
A macular hole is a tear or hole in the center or your retina which can make your vision blurry and distorted. Recently, effective treatments have been developed to treat macular holes and help restore vision.
Symptoms of macular pucker and macular hole include:
- Floaters, dots, spots, or curly lines in your vision
- Diminished near and distance vision
- Objects or letters appear wavy, blurred or distorted
- Dark or empty areas in your field of vision
High-tech treatments provide hope
Today, there are effective treatments for macular holes and macular pucker. In many cases, these new procedures can restore lost vision. Early detection and treatment are the keys to success.