Macular Pucker One Year After Macular Hole Repair

Ask an Eye M.D. Answer Archive

Question:
I had a macular hole and had surgery a year ago. Now I have a macular pucker. Is it wise to have another eye surgery so soon?     

Answer:
When surgery is performed for a macular hole, the technique encourages the eye to form a scar or scab that seals the hole, similar to the way a cut in your finger heals. In most cases, the scab is minimal and not symptomatic. However, in rare cases the scar is a bit larger and we call it a macular pucker; just like when you cut your finger, you will have a residual scar. When this happens with a finger cut, the only problem is cosmetic and you leave it alone; when this happens in the macula, you can have distorted central vision and you may need another eye surgery. A time interval of one year is a reasonable period to have waited.

Answered by: Paul Sternberg Jr., MD 

Categories: Eye Surgery

Have a question that hasn't been answered yet? Ask it!