Macular Pucker Specialist

What is macular pucker?

Macular pucker, or epiretinal membrane, occurs when your macula (the center of the retina) develops wrinkles or other structural irregularities. Your macula must stay flat to give you sharp central vision, so a macular pucker can cause some visual difficulties. 

What are the symptoms of macular pucker?

Macular pucker symptoms affect only your central vision, so your peripheral vision remains the same. You may experience the following central vision issues:

• Gray area 
• Cloudy area
• Waviness
• Lack of fine details
• Blank spot
  
  

These symptoms can also indicate another macula problem like macular hole or macular degeneration, so it’s important to book an appointment at InSight Retina Consultants, P.C., for a diagnosis if you have any of these issues. 

What causes macular pucker?

Macular pucker usually occurs because of natural changes in your eye as you age. When you're older, the vitreous body within your eyes shrinks slowly, pulling away from the retina at the back of your eye. 

In most cases, this happens without issues, but occasionally the vitreous body can stick to the retina in a certain area, pulling it away and stretching it out a bit. This causes scar tissue growth, and thus the pucker. 

How are macular pucker and macular hole different?

Macular pucker and macular hole generally occur in the same way — as a side effect of vitreous detachment. But with a macular hole, the vitreous tugs so hard on the retina that it makes a hole. Macular pucker is less serious than macular hole, but it may still require treatment. 

How is a macular pucker treated?

Macular pucker treatment depends on symptom severity. For a mild macular pucker, Dr. O’Connell may recommend watchful waiting, with regular checkups to make sure the pucker doesn’t progress. 

Dr. O’Connell may also recommend updating your prescription, which can enhance your vision. If you have severe macular pucker symptoms, you may need vitrectomy surgery, in which Dr. O’Connell removes the vitreous body and the scar tissue causing the pucker. 

This helps the pucker to flatten so your vision can improve gradually as you heal. 

If you have possible symptoms of macular pucker, you can trust the macula experts at InSight Retina Consultants, P.C., for help. Call the office in your area or click the online appointment maker now.