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Eye Care Archive (Expert Forum)
Macular Holes and types of effective treatments.
Our Ask A Doctor Ophthalmology Forum is where you can post your question and receive a personal answer from physicians affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Macular Holes and types of effective treatments.
by rrose71674, Jun 21, 2006 12:00AM
Hello,
My mother was diagnosed with a macular hole in her left eye. The doctor said that he is planning on treating her with steroids for the next six weeks to address the problem and to seal the hole. From what I have read, the only real solution to a macular hole seems to be a Vitrectomy for the macular hole.
My question is: Does the steriod treatment have a positive effect on any stage (1, 3, or 3) macular hole? Should my mother be looking towards the surgery option now rather than going through the steriod regimen for the next six weeks? Is there any course of treatment that you can recommend for this other than the steroid treatment or the surgery.
Thank you for your time,
Rose
My mother was diagnosed with a macular hole in her left eye. The doctor said that he is planning on treating her with steroids for the next six weeks to address the problem and to seal the hole. From what I have read, the only real solution to a macular hole seems to be a Vitrectomy for the macular hole.
My question is: Does the steriod treatment have a positive effect on any stage (1, 3, or 3) macular hole? Should my mother be looking towards the surgery option now rather than going through the steriod regimen for the next six weeks? Is there any course of treatment that you can recommend for this other than the steroid treatment or the surgery.
Thank you for your time,
Rose
Doctor's Answer
by Forum-OD-MP, Jun 21, 2006 12:00AM
your retinal surgeon apparently either thinks there is significant neovascularization (new blood vessel growth) that needs to have its growth retarded (it is thought that steroids may have an inhibitiry effect on choiroidal neovascularization), or that the macular hole is secondary to mild inflammation. in the second case, apparently some macular holes can be closed just by "flattenning" the swelled-up tissue around the hole.
in most decent sized holes there is no emergency. he & her & you probably have plenty of time to try different thing. steroid injection is certainly more conservative than vitrectomy, and if it doesnt work you can still have the vitrectomy later.
in most decent sized holes there is no emergency. he & her & you probably have plenty of time to try different thing. steroid injection is certainly more conservative than vitrectomy, and if it doesnt work you can still have the vitrectomy later.
For me ,there was no mention of steroid alternative injections.
One question is --would the steroid injections also cause the eventual formation of a cataract, as does the vitrectomy?