Macular Pucker and Pars Plana Vitrectomy

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 Ophthalmologist, talks about what a macular pucker is and the treatment with pars plana vitrectomy surgery.

 Ophthalmologist, talks about what a macular pucker is and the treatment with pars plana vitrectomy surgery.

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Video transcript

Featuring Dr. Michael Kapusta, MD, FRSCS, Ophthalmologist

Duration: 2 minutes, 10 seconds

The macula is the centre of the retina. A macular pucker is when a wrinkle develops in the centre of the retina. This is typically idiopathic, that means it just happens like that. In other cases, a macular pucker can be associated with other diseases of the retina, and your doctor will determine whether you have it just like that – or idiopathic, or are there other diseases in the eye said Dr. Michael Kapusta.

The macula is the centre of the vision. When it is puckered or wrinkled, there is often blurring of vision, distortion of vision or sometimes discrepancy in the image size between two eyes. A macular pucker is a condition where surface said Dr. Michael Kapusta. wrinkling has occurred on the retina. This will not be able to heal on its own said Dr. Michael Kapusta. .

Your ophthalmologist may decide that you have enough macular pucker to justify a referral to a vitreoretinal surgeon. This surgeon will consider the advantages and disadvantages of offering you a surgical intervention to remove the macular pucker said Dr. Michael Kapusta. . The technique used to repair macular pucker is called pars plana vitrectomy. The surgeon will go into the eye, under local or general anesthesia, remove the vitreous gel, and then with tiny forceps remove the wrinkle that has grown on the surface of the macula said Dr. Michael Kapusta. .

The success rate of this procedure is quite high, but one should consider that it is successful to just stabilize vision, because the presence of macular pucker can be associated with continued decline of vision over the years that follow. Success can be as high as 70% of patients that report improved vision after macular pucker surgery said Dr. Michael Kapusta. .

If you are concerned that you have distortion of vision, blurred vision, and might have a macular pucker, you should seek the attention of your optometrist or ophthalmologist, who may then refer you for consultation with a vitreoretinal surgeon said Dr. Michael Kapusta.

Presenter: Dr. Michael Kapusta, Ophthalmologist, Montreal, QC

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97-100 People got two or more of these video questions wrong... ( 2 participated.)

Quiz: Do You Understand Macular Holes?

Questions
 
True
False
1

Diabetic eye disease can be a cause of a macular hole.

Explanation:

Common causes of a macular hole include high myopia (nearsightedness), injury or trauma to the eye, diabetic eye disease, retinal detachment and macular pucker.

2

A dark spot in your central vision is a symptom of a macular hole.

Explanation:

Symptoms of a macular hole include vision loss, blurry vision or a dark spot in your central vision.

3

If your optometrist or ophthalmologist determines that you have a macular hole, you will likely start medication to treat the condition.

Explanation:

If your optometrist or ophthalmologist determines that you have a macular hole, you will likely see a vitreoretinal surgeon to discuss closing the macular hole and improving or stabilizing visual acuity.

4

Pars plana vitrectomy has a 90 percent success rate.

Explanation:

Pars plana vitrectomy is a common surgical procedure that has a 90 percent success rate, meaning that the macular hole closes and vision is improved or stabilized.

5

It's rare for a patient with a macular hole in one eye to develop one in their other eye.

Explanation:

People who have had a macular hole in one eye have a higher chance of developing a macular hole in their other eye, so it’s important to see your eye doctor for regular eye exams.

This content is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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