Macular Pucker: Vitrectomy Surgery in Phoenix

About Macular Puckers

The macula is the small area at the center of the eye’s retina that allows you to read and see fine details clearly. The macula normally lies flat against the wall of the eye, like wallpaper on a wall. A macular pucker occurs when a membrane, like cellophane, covers the surface of the macula. Often, these membranes remain completely flat and do not cause vision problems. However, sometimes the membrane contracts on the surface of the retina, causing it to wrinkle or pucker.

Macular Pucker Symptoms

Symptoms of a macular pucker range from mild to severe and may involve one or both eyes. These symptoms include blurry central vision, distorted or wavy vision (straight lines seem crooked or bent), difficulty reading, or gray spot in central vision.

Diagnosis and Tests for Macular Puckers

A macular pucker is diagnosed by your eye doctor and can be further evaluated with special tests like optical coherence tomography (OCT) or fluorescein angiography.

Macular Pucker Treatment

For mild symptoms, no treatment may be necessary. Changing your eyeglasses prescription may improve vision. For more severe symptoms, vitrectomy surgery can be performed as an outpatient procedure in an operating room. During surgery, the vitreous gel that fills the eye is removed and replaced with a clear fluid. Tiny instruments are used to gently remove the membrane off the retina’s surface. After the tissue is gone, the macula usually flattens and vision slowly improves, though it usually does not return all the way to normal.

FAQs

Macular puckers are associated with several eye conditions. The most common cause is due to a posterior vitreous separation in which the vitreous gel that fills the eye pulls away from the retina, leading to scar tissue on the macula. Macular puckers can also develop following a torn or detached retina, uveitis (inflammation inside the eye), diabetic retinopathy, or trauma.

Yes, for mild symptoms, no treatment may be necessary. If symptoms are more severe, you may need surgery.

Since a macular pucker is often associated other retinal conditions, the best preventative defense is to have routine eye exams that can screen for the development of retinal conditions like Diabetic Retinopathy, which can then lead to a Macular Pucker.

Hear what patients are saying

Everyone was professional, courteous, and attentive. Thank you for such great care.

Robert E.

Everyone is always thoughtful and makes sure I know what’s going on. All my questions are answered. Dr. Goldenberg has been great and has been helping me go longer between shots – always a good thing!

Linda E.

Dr. Itty and his staff are very professional and caring. I am blessed that he is taking care of my eyes. I had a macular pucker that he repaired and I also have macular degeneration.

Jamie N.