What Is Macular Pucker Surgery?

Before we discuss macular pucker surgery, it is important to understand what is meant by macular pucker. If you look at any drawing of an eye, you will see how much it resembles a camera. The front portion of the eye carries a lens which transmits images to the back portion of the eye, an area called retina.

This area is composed of millions of tiny nerve cells which respond to light. The central part of the retina is called the macula area. Macula is wholly responsible for our ability to read, drive and see fine details. If our vision is sharp we can attribute it to a healthy macula.

We should understand that our eyes are nearly filled with a soft jelly like substance called vitreous. The vitreous is attached to the retina, with the help of innumerable tiny fibers. As we grow older, this vitreous can contract and get separated from the retina. This is a perfectly normal phenomenon with small manifestations like seeing tiny 'floaters' or specks floating in our line of vision.

At times, however, the separation of vitreous from the retina may leave behind a small scar. Soon after the scar formation, the retina gets busy in the repairing process of the damaged section. This activity gives rise to the formation of a scar tissue, which is fixed on to the surface of the retina. There are times when this scar tissue shrinks. When this happens it results in the retina to crease or 'pucker'. These scar tissues can also have a pulling effect on the macula, which causes it to fold or crease. It is then called macular pucker. While this need not cause serious damage to the vision, some people go through haziness or blurring of vision.

While macular pucker can affect both our eyes, its effect is more intense in one of the eyes. Few of the initial symptoms of macular pucker are inability to see fine details, and straight lines starting to have a wavy pattern. Usually, doctors leave macular pucker as it is, unless it causes severe problems in vision and maintaining daily routines. If and when the problem gets really serious, macular pucker surgery is recommended.

Done under local anesthesia, you would not be able to feel any pain, etc., though you are wide awake during the macular pucker surgery. The whole objective in the surgery is to do away with the vitreous, through a process called vitrectomy. Over and above removing the fluid, the surgeon also does away with the scar tissues which are the reasons behind the macular pucker. This takes care of the problems related to proper vision. Normally surgical intervention has ben successful in treating macular pucker. But the important thing for ensuring best recovery is to follow the doctors' advice thoroughly and have the prescribed medications without fail.