Anonymous said...
My husband cancelled his surgery yesterday. He thinks he has had a MH for over 4 years. He only just realized he had distorted vision when after many pairs of glasses didn't help. He actually had to tell the eye Dr that the print in emails where distorted over and over again, and that is when the Dr looked even deeper into his eye and suspected MH. He was then referred to a specialist. We went for another opinion and the same bad news was given so he chose to have surgery. The night before surgery he realized that after 4 years the hole or should I say his distorted vision hasn't gotten worse, so why should he risk having surgery that may or may not work, or could even make it worse, and that it will eventually lead to cataract surgery and lens replacement with in a year or two. He also feels that it may be getting better after using steroid drops for only 30 days. (Recommended by Dr before electing to get surgery) Do you think that after this many years his hole will not enlarge and that another round of steroid drops will help, or even stop the hole from enlarging? I've read all the good and bad responses in many blogs and quite frankly it seems sometimes it may be better to just wait it out. He see's quite well out of that eye now, only a little distortion. Can't he just be monitored monthly to see if the hole is enlarging? He is really struggling with this. We shipped your equipement back today, which seemed to be the answer if he had gone through with the surgery. Do you have any cases where the hole edges healed and the patient is doing fine and maintaining the same vision for many years? Thank you in advance for your responce.
November 25, 2008 1:38 PM
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The prolonged use of steroid drops could cause cataract formation. So using cataract surgery as excuse to not get MH repair doesn't wash.
ReplyDeleteI have actually never heard of steroids being used to treat macular hole; there must be other things going on, perhaps some associated macular edema. My best advice is to ask more questions to the retina specialist. Why was your husband put on a steroid drop, why is surgery the "best" option when your husband sees "quite well" out of the eye. These are answers you should feel you know and understand before proceeding with surgery. If you don't get the answers to make you feel more confident in your decision to proceed, or not proceed, with the surgery then get a third opinion. As for macular hole edges healing, generally not. Sometimes, when traction is the main culprit in acute holes then there is a spontaneous healing with a full PVD (posterior vitreous detachment). One of my aunts actually had this happen, but it is uncommon and if the PVD is complete and the hole is still there then it isn't going to heal itself.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI just had my 10 year old daughter have a preliminary diagnosis of what she believes is a hole in her retina from an exam from her eye doctor. She has never had an eye exam because she always passed them at school and I didn't really know that she needed to if she was having no trouble with her vision. She is a healthy kid and I never would have never known. Now I am a mess thinking about this until we get in to see a specialist. We aren't going to get in until Jan. 9. I know children are rare in having this condition and I don't know how this could have happened. I can't think of any trauma she has ever had, so what else could cause it in a child? Her vision is fine. Are there treatment options for children~ how in the world can a child put her head face down for two weeks? I can tell you right now it would never happen unless she was restrained!! I know I am jumping the gun before I get in to the doctor, but as a mom you have to understand I am freaking out here. I don't know what she is facing and it is really going to drive me crazy until that appointment.
Dear Anonymous:
ReplyDeleteThe sentence that sticks out to me is "her vision is fine" If you mean her vision is fine in each individual eye - in other words covering one eye and seeing well, then covering the other and seeing just as well - then a diagnosis of macular hole is unlikely. Macular holes in children are most likely trauma related and would have an appreciable vision change. Keep your appt with the specialist (I am assuming here that it is a retina specialst your daughter will be seeing as opposed to a general ophthalmologist), obviously the optometrist saw something other than the usual. I understand your concerns; reassure yourself occassionally by asking your daughter to do the cover test as described above. Make sure she doesn't apply any pressure to the eye she is covering as that can temporarily blur her vision. If she is seeing fine out of each eye then breathe easy and see the MD in Jan. Sudden vision change warrants rescheduling to a closer date. I wouldn't fret over the positioning it may not be necessary!
Hi
ReplyDeleteI just went thru the surgery on dec 15th,2008. I did very well. The hardest part was the positioning. I had to do the face down for 5 days. It was hard but I kept thinking of my eyesight and my 12 little grandchildren. I wanting to see them. So it is worth going thru all of it.
I have today visited my eye specialist and been told I have a macular hole in my right eye. I am seeing a specialist in this field in a couple of weeks. I am of course really concerned (especially after going onto the computer and reading about the operation itself and the 5/10 days positioning). I have had glaucoma and cataract operations and have had eye pressure in my eyes for years. The pressure in my eyes today was better than before 18 and 16 (normally around 22). My right eye (the one that has the macular hole) seems fine to me. I have no loss of vision but am worried about the picture he showed me (and of course going blind if I do not have the op).
ReplyDeleteHello, my surgery will be March 12Th for MH. I am thankful to know the surgery will prevent further sight distortion in my eye but am VERY CONCERNED about positioning recovery. I Have RA/ LUPUS/ Sjgorens Syndrome so I have 24/7 pain in normal life....Is their anything that truly is the VERY BEST for comfort while face down recovery?
ReplyDeleteGod Bless Each Who Are Having This Problem, I am so very tankful these past few years they have found a successful surgery and treatment plan for us with MH problems.
Thank you,
Evelyn
Saw this comment - I am listed for vitrectomy but like your husband I suspect my macula hole is longstanding (2 yrs?) and I have big doubts about the results which I gather are poor after 1 year. I too can see fairly well- normally using both eyes- and I'm worrying about surgery that at best may improve my vision a bit BUT could leave me with worse vision if complications happen. Doesn't sound a big deal to me- even before you contemplate the cataract op to follow. I don't think anyone really answered your question. Can you report again on how your husband has progressed?
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