Macular Hole Specialist
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New York Retina and Macula Institute
Aryeh L. Pollack, MD
Vitreoretinal and Macula Surgeon & Medical Retina Specialist located in Midtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, NY
Nearsighted women over the age of 60 are at risk for developing a macular hole in their retina, and men can suffer from this condition, too. As a board-certified ophthalmologist and retinal surgery specialist, Aryeh L. Pollack, MD, expertly diagnoses and treats macular holes at his New York City practice, New York Retina and Macula Institute. With two conveniently located offices in Midtown East Manhattan and Borough Park in Brooklyn, you can get the latest treatments and technologies for macular holes and other eye conditions in a compassionate environment. Call to schedule an exam or book online today.
Macular Hole Q & A
What is a macular hole?
Your macula is the center of your eye’s light-sensitive retinal tissue. The macula allows you to have clear central vision so you can see fine details, drive a car, and read a book. A macular hole is a small break in your macula.
There are three stages of a macular hole.
- Stage I: 50% of these foveal detachments progress if left untreated
- Stage II: 70% of these partial-thickness holes progress if left untreated
- Stage III: Full-thickness holes
When you have a macular hole, it can distort your central vision or cause blurred vision. The size of the hole and its location on your retina determine the extent of effects on your vision.
What causes a macular hole?
Macular holes are an age-related condition, typically occurring in men and women over 60 years old. As you age, the vitreous, or gel-like fluid in your eyeball, shrinks and pulls away from your retina. If the vitreous sticks to a portion of your retina as it pulls away, it can stretch the macula and create a tiny hole.
You might also get a macular hole from swelling in your macula as a result of another eye condition. Additionally, a macular hole could occur after an eye injury. Sometimes, there’s no obvious cause.
Several conditions increase your risk of developing a macular hole, including:
- Retinal detachment
- Macular pucker
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Myopia (nearsightedness)
Being a woman also puts you at higher risk for a macular hole.
How does an ophthalmologist treat macular holes?
The most common treatment for macular holes is a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy. During this type of surgery at New York Retina and Macula Institute, Dr. Pollack, a leading retinal surgeon, removes the vitreous from your eye to prevent it from pulling at the retina. He may place a small gas bubble in your eye to gently hold the edges of the macular hole closed as it heals after surgery.
Vitrectomy has a success rate of over 90%, allowing most people to regain some or all of their lost vision. If your macular hole is tiny enough that it’s not significantly impacting your vision, you may not need treatment right away. Instead, Dr. Pollack monitors the hole’s progression so he can detect and treat any changes as soon as they occur.
To schedule a comprehensive eye exam or get treatment for a macular hole, call New York Retina and Macula Institute, or request an appointment online.
