Features

Macular hole

Disease
A macular hole is a localised, full-thickness retinal defect involving the macula. Approximately 10 to 20 per cent of cases eventually become bilateral. An idiopathic macular hole is most commonly attributed to vitreous or epiretinal traction on the macula however, some recognised triggers include trauma, surgery, high myopia and cystoid macular oedema.

This article is best viewed in a PDF Format.

View PDF

 Get adobe

A lamellar macular hole is a sharply circumscribed, partial-thickness defect at the macula. Possible causes include cystoid macular oedema, solar maculopathy and aborted macular holes.

Symptoms

Blurred vision metamorphopsia occasionally central scotoma.

Signs

Moderate to severe loss of acuity (often 6/60 or worse) is expected with a large macular hole:

? Stage 1A: The first signs of foveal detachment ('impending macular hole',) are loss of the foveal depression and the appearance of a yellow spot at the fovea, thought to be xanthophyll pigment. The yellow spot becomes a ring (Stage 1B) as the photoreceptors separate. This stage often corresponds with the onset of visual symptoms

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Optician Online. Register now to access up to 10 news and opinion articles a month.

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here