Vision After Macular Hole Surgery

[jan17]

I had my 6 week check today for macular hole surgery and I do not have my vision back. I understand there is a small percentage that does not fit the norm in healing and I am sure I am one of them because I have followed every direction given to me by the Dr's. and I am unable to read the eye chart. I have my peripheral vision, as before, but my central is a circle. I still have a tiny bubble lingering on but I really don't think when it is gone it is going to make a difference. Is there a chance this will get smaller, fad, etc.? The Dr. said there is scar tissue which has formed on the hole sight, would that be the cause of the distortion still in the central vision? and is there anything that can be done now to improve my vision? There is very little literature for us who fall into that small percentage. Thank you for your response.

[jan17]

Thank you for your response. I am truly thankful for the sight I do have and it is better than before surgery. Instead of the whole central vision diminished, the area is smaller. I did everything the Dr.'s requested for a successful surgery, so I have no regrets. There are always positives that come out of tragic events and this was for me. I still hang onto hope that it will improve more but now I have strenghtened my auditory style and of course now I am less dependent on my true visual style. So much of my life centered around the visual and now I have been given the opportunity to participate in a whole new experience. Although I am 49 the big reality check is when I am in the eye surgeon's office, I look around, listen to and participate in conversations that uplift my spirits because there are certainly many patients who are far worse off than myself. With hours of waiting to see the specialist Dr's I now spend a portion of my day trying to send the message out to our government and other organizations the necessity for gifted eye surgeons to set up offices in our area, as now we have to leave our area and travel five hours.

Is there a procedure to remove scar tissue on the hole?
Thank you!

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Macular hole surgery is generally done to keep the hole from getting bigger and/or deeper. It usually does not restore perfect vision since by definition the hole goes all the way through the sight receptors.  It will be several more months before you know your final vision but know that perfect vision is not usually restored.

JCH III MD