Macular pucker can blur or even distort your central vision significantly. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with problems like macular pucker, macular holes, or other retina issues. Retina care expert Katia Taba, MD, at Personalized Retina Care of Naples in Naples, Florida, is here to help you regain your clear vision, so book online or by phone now.
Macular pucker occurs when the macular in your eye's retina develops scar tissue. This scar tissue buildup can significantly interfere with clear central vision, often causing blurriness or distortion.
No. Although macular pucker and macular holes have mostly the same symptoms, the same causes, and they affect the same area in the eye, they're actually separate conditions.
The vitreous gel in your eyes supports your retina and entire eye structure. Your vitreous connects to your retina using thin fibers.
Over time, your vitreous naturally shrinks and should eventually separate from the retina without a problem. However, sometimes a macular hole forms if the fibers are still attached or if the fibers linger on the retina.
With macular pucker, the damage doesn't happen until later. Sometimes the vitreous separation process leaves damaged areas on the retina. While this damage isn't a macular hole, it can still be a problem. As your retina tries to heal, it generates scar tissue that's the macular pucker.
Although it's rare, it's possible for a macular pucker to become a macular hole.
Macular pucker can cause symptoms such as:
Your symptoms may range from quite mild to severe. Macular pucker rarely causes severe vision loss, but it can be very frustrating to deal with. Usually, macular pucker symptoms don't grow worse, but they don't tend to spontaneously heal either.
In some cases, macular pucker doesn't require treatment. Some macular pucker sufferers learn to compensate for the vision problems and continue their life as usual.
However, there are times when vitrectomy surgery is the best choice. During vitrectomy, Dr. Taba removes vitreous gel along with some of the scar tissue to get the macula back in the optimal position. Dr. Taba will discuss vitrectomy with you to help you decide whether surgery is right for you.
Book your appointment online now through the online tool, or call the Personalized Retina Care of Naples office today.
