Aging Is One Cause Of A Macular Cyst

Known by various other names like retinal hole, retinal tear, and retinal perforation, macular cyst is a hole or a tiny perforation in the macula which is part of the retina. The retina occupies the central part of the eye and is made up of innumerable tissues which are sensitive to light. Sharpness of our vision and our ability to see fine details, read and drive are all dependent on the health of the macula area. A macular cyst can result in our vision getting distorted or hazy. Caused mainly due to aging, macular cyst generally occurs to people over 60 years of age and usually affects only one eye.

Nearly 80% of our eyes contain a soft substance which is jelly like in nature. This is called the vitreous, which is made up of innumerable fibers, which keeps it connected to the retina. When we grow old, this vitreous may contract, thicken and may detach itself from the retina. This causes a hole to be formed in the macula and a retinal hole or a macular cyst is formed. In case the vitreous tears away from the retina, while it was securely attached to the retina, it can cause a hole to be formed. In other cases, when the vitreous detaches itself from the retina, some fibers may still remain and subsequently shrink, causing continuous tension on the surface of the retina. This can also be one of the causes of macular cyst. Patients of macular cyst do not normally complain of any symptom except of little spots or specks, also called floaters, which appear frequently in their line of vision. Distorted and blurred visions are also reported by people having macular cyst.

The degree of damage a macular cyst can do to your vision is directly dependent on its size and location in the retina. While most people complain of small distortions and reduction in the ability to see properly, if the hole is large or deep enough, it can completely damage your central vision and subsequently you ability to see the fine details.

Vitrectomy is a type of eye surgery which is performed to treat macular cyst. The procedure essentially removes and replaces the vitreous with a bubble, which is expected to be filled up with the eyes' natural fluids in a span of time. That is the reason, after vitrectomy, patients are required to keep their faces down for a span of 2 to 3 weeks. During this time the bubble is able to exert pressure on the macula and fill up the vacuum caused by the hole. Vitrectomy is not without post-surgical complications, the most common being the development of cataracts. Other adverse reactions include development of post-surgical infections and detachment of the retina, during or after the surgical intervention. While vitrectomy is extremely successful in sealing a macular cyst, return or restoration of complete vision vary according to patients.