Definition of Macular hole Macular hole: A hole in the macula,
the tiny oval area made up of millions of nerve cells located at
the center of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision.
The eye contains a jelly-like substance called the vitreous.
Shrinking of the vitreous usually causes the hole. As a person
ages, the vitreous becomes thicker and stringier and begins to
pull away from the retina. If the vitreous is firmly attached to
the retina when it pulls away, a hole can result. The size of
the hole and its location on the retina determine how much it
affects vision. Generally, people notice a slight distortion or
reduction in their eyesight. However, if the hole goes all the
way through the macula, you can lose a lot of your central
vision and therefore your detailed fine vision. A surgical
procedure called vitrectomy is often used to treat holes that go
all the way through the macula. The vitreous is removed to
prevent it from pulling on the retina. It is replaced with a gas
bubble that eventually