Macular Pucker vs Macular Hole

Anonymous said...

Four years ago I was diagnosed with a macular pucker..at that time i do no recall the Dr. recommending surgery. during the past month my sight deteriorated drascally. last week dr said i had a hole in my macular and surgery was necessary. he thought this was fairly new. would i have got this hole if i would have the pucker repaired.

December 31, 2009 7:16 PM

Dear Anonymous:

There are several factors surgeons use for determining the need for surgery; one of the most obvious to the patient is visual acuity loss. No surgeon is going to be anxious to surgically enter an eye that is still seeing well unless there is an obvious potential for vision loss. Some macular puckers can spontaneously resolve while others can progress to a macular hole, unfortunately it sounds like you have experienced the latter. The good news is a fresh hole has a higher chance of successful repair.

Toni Kelly

Kelly Comfort Solutions

Sharon Fowler Ellis said...
Hey, I just started a blog about my own experience (in layman's terms) with a macular hole. I'm on day 9 after surgery.http://sharelli.blogspot.com/
August 15, 2009 3:22 PM

Thanks Sharon! I know you will get some hits! I didn't see your name in The Kelly Comfort Solutions customer rental database, but it sounds like you found the equipment you got helpful. I am as glad you found it helpful as you are glad you don't need it any more!

Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions

my little window to the world

I had my operation 4 days ago and have been advised to face down 50 min out of every hour...I'm 38 years old and must admit I would have gone out of my mind if it wasn't for my iPhone-been able to watch films use Internet and control my pc all from my little window to the world...mind you, it doesn't stop the agony of back and neck ache, only 10 days to go...lol peter

Peter:
Ain't technology grand? Did you look into anything to help you maintain your position? If not, you may want to check out www.kellycomfort.com and give me a call. Maybe I can help!

Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions

What vision can I expect after surgery?

I'm schedule to have surgery 8/10 and have gotten the support system to make the 1 week initial recovery time go by much easier. What should I expect after the surgery is over? I presently have a slight central vision blind spot and remaining vision is very blurry. Anonymous

Dear Anonymous:
Visual outcome after macular hole repair is difficult to predict. Generally your surgeon would not offer the surgery if he/she did not think there could be visual improvemnet. Macular hole repair will only affect the central vision; if your peripheral vision is blurry due to another disease process it is unlikely to get better. For those that get the "pinched together in the middle" effect on the Amsler Grid, it is hoped the distortion will be significantly decreased. Those with a full thickness hole causing a central scotoma or blind spot can hope for central vision to return, ideally to a well functioning level. So many factors determine what any individual outcome will be - your surgeon should be able to provide you with his best estimate.

And don't forget, your vision will be WORSE immediately after the surgery due to the bubble. You will start to note improvement aas the bubble reabsorbs.

Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions

Macular Hole after previous surgery

Hi I will be having this procedure done on September 2. As you can imagine, I am very nervous as I have had problems with my eys for many years. I am 57 and after I gave birth to my daughter in 1983 I was diagnosed with a detached retina in my right eye. A scleral buckling and sponge procedure was done at that time. In 1996 I developed cateracts in both eyes and had lens implants. Now I have a MH in my right eye. I can see ok at a distance, etc. but cannot read well unless I close that eye. I am so nervous about my eyesight. If the procedure does not take, will I lose what eyesight I have now in my right eye and will this procedure, in fact, make it worse? Thank you for any input.
Anonymous

Dear Anonymous:

The surgery to repair your macular hole will be a little different from the procedure you had done years ago for the detached retina. Of the two surgeries, and of the two problems for that matter, the macular hole and its repair is the preferable. It is still a delicate surgery but success rate is very high. The fact that you have had previous retinal surgery makes you different from the majority of MH repairs and your retina surgeon would be the best source of information about what your particular prognosis is. Unless you have the unfortunate luck to get an infection in the eye it is very unlikely that your vision would get any worse even if the surgery does not repair the hole. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Toni Kelly
Kelly Comfort Solutions
Vitrectomy Support Equipment Rentals

Anonymous said...
I had surgery for a macular pucker and surgeon fixed a small macular hole 11 days ago. The bubble is a small semi circle now and I can see over it. I have small black dots floating around, still have noticable double vision and wavy horizonal lines. Is this to be expected?

June 8, 2009 9:28 AM

Dear Anonymous:

It is difficult to determine what your final vision will be like until the bubble is gone. While everyones experience is a little different, almost everyone notices being able to see "over the bubble" and many see the dots you mention. The bubble itself is distorting and cause your other complaints but be sure to mention all of this to your surgeon when you see him/her!

Toni

Is their anything that truly is the VERY BEST for comfort?

Hello, 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?
God 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

Evelyn:
THE BAD NEWS: there is nothing that is going to make vitrectomy recovery easy.
THE GOOD NEWS: there are things that can help.

Most companies offer very similar items; they are all designed to allow your neck, back and shoulder muscles to get some releif from the torture of maintaining the proper positioning. Everybody is different and only you know what you need to get yourself through. Some people do it with no equipment at all! For a look at some of the items available for relief take a look at the vitrectomy positioning devices on my website: www.KellyComfort.com Good Luck!
Toni Kelly