Macular Hole

I had Macular hole surgery 6 August 2008.I was told on two visits the hole had closed.At 8 weeks post surgery still with a small bubble left,Surgeon said I already had developed a cateract.Had surgery 31 Oct and on post op appt was told the hole had reopened.I now have to discuss further surgery as I cannot see any letters on the eye chart.The surgeon blames the reopening on my thin retina.What happens if my other eye is affected?I cannot drive or read if I have to rely on my bad eye.I am severely myopic (-14 each eye)The recovery from the Macular hole op was severely depressing and I dont know if I can cope with another op.Your opinion please.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

It is highly unlikely that you will get a macular hole in the other eye.  That's about the best way I can put it.  For now, you still have your hands full with the first eye.  I know it is hard not to worry - but you need to try to not dwell on the "what if" scenarios and continue to do all you can right now for your present condition.  I'm sorry for your problems, and I hope that some vision can be salvaged in that eye - perhaps with another vitrectomy?

MJK MD

[pammie512]

Well my surgeon will decide whether the prognosis of further surgery will be any more successfull on 23 Dec.He feels that is wasnt the trauma of the cateract surgery that reopened the hole but just the thinness of the retina causing the hole to reopen.Considering two investigations prior to the cateract showed closure,I am not convinced.What has been your experience in hole reopenings?I have had to return to work but am getting mild eye strain.Will this clear up?Obviously the bad eye is trying to function on peripheral vision only.

[Winterpeg]

Hi pammie512:
I had a macular hole as well and had a Vitrectomy done in July of 2007. Surgery was successful and hole sealed after about 8 weeks. I too developed a cataract immediately and Retinal DR said that I should wait under a year before doing the cataract surgery! He forwarded me to the Cataract Surgeon who concurred and I had my cataract surgery July 2008. The vision is till not that great BUT the macula is still intact and I am going to see the original Retinal DR expert this coming Monday to see what might be causing the not so great vision.
My vision is 20/20(diagnosed by looking through some machine) BUT the centre is still a little warped and it seems that I am seeing through something that is wavey?
Anyway, I will update you next week as to what Rental expert DR has to say.

[pammie512]

Thanks.However was your cateract a full strength one-I still had the vision as if I still had the bubble in the eye and with -14 acuity and no contact lens it was very poor vision.Thats why I was given the cateract op so soon