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What Causes Retinal And Macular Holes In Eyes?
Question: Hi,
About 2 or 3 months ago, I visited my ophthalmologist for a routine eye inspection. The doctor told me that I had a retinal hole or macular hole in one eye. Then, I went back just a couple of weeks ago (only 2 or 3 months after the initial appointment), and she told me that I have numerous holes in each eye. She said that I could possibly live my entire life, without laser surgery, and be just fine. Is this true?
Also, why would new holes develop in each eye so quickly? I have read that these holes are supposed to develop slowly, and mostly in older people, and mostly in women. And that there is only a 10 to 15 percent chance that a hole will develop in the second eye. Therefore, why have multiple holes quickly developed in each eye? And I fit into none of these categories. I am none of these things. I am a 30 year old man. Though, I am nearsighted.
I used to go to tanning beds. Could this be the problem? Also, I have dry eye disease. Could this disease be the problem?
If I do have successful laser surgery, to close the retinal holes, will more holes just continue to quickly develop, because of a potential eye problem that I may have?
Finally, the doctor recommended the laser surgery to me, as a possibility. I read somewhere that eye surgery to close macular holes would require me to lay face down for 21 days. Is this what I would have to do after the laser surgery? Or is this only required for actual surgery that would require my eye to be cut open?
About 2 or 3 months ago, I visited my ophthalmologist for a routine eye inspection. The doctor told me that I had a retinal hole or macular hole in one eye. Then, I went back just a couple of weeks ago (only 2 or 3 months after the initial appointment), and she told me that I have numerous holes in each eye. She said that I could possibly live my entire life, without laser surgery, and be just fine. Is this true?
Also, why would new holes develop in each eye so quickly? I have read that these holes are supposed to develop slowly, and mostly in older people, and mostly in women. And that there is only a 10 to 15 percent chance that a hole will develop in the second eye. Therefore, why have multiple holes quickly developed in each eye? And I fit into none of these categories. I am none of these things. I am a 30 year old man. Though, I am nearsighted.
I used to go to tanning beds. Could this be the problem? Also, I have dry eye disease. Could this disease be the problem?
If I do have successful laser surgery, to close the retinal holes, will more holes just continue to quickly develop, because of a potential eye problem that I may have?
Finally, the doctor recommended the laser surgery to me, as a possibility. I read somewhere that eye surgery to close macular holes would require me to lay face down for 21 days. Is this what I would have to do after the laser surgery? Or is this only required for actual surgery that would require my eye to be cut open?
Brief Answer:
Retinal hole and macular hole, both are different.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic
I am Dr. DADAPEER K, an Ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.
I reviewed your history.
You are having two different problems.
Macular hole is thinning of the retina in the centre and it may or may not progresses. If it progress's then it causes diminution of vision and this requires surgery. After this surgery face down position is required.
Retinal holes are seen in periphery of the retina.
These holes are commonly seen in people with myopia or near sightednes.
They are usually multiple in number and they require laser to seal them and to prevent complications like retinal detachment. This laser is simple office procedure and it does not require any special precautions or positioning.
Both these retinal hole and macular hole are not related to dry eye disease.
You probably require laser for retinal holes and macular hole requires only follow up.
Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
With regards
Retinal hole and macular hole, both are different.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic
I am Dr. DADAPEER K, an Ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.
I reviewed your history.
You are having two different problems.
Macular hole is thinning of the retina in the centre and it may or may not progresses. If it progress's then it causes diminution of vision and this requires surgery. After this surgery face down position is required.
Retinal holes are seen in periphery of the retina.
These holes are commonly seen in people with myopia or near sightednes.
They are usually multiple in number and they require laser to seal them and to prevent complications like retinal detachment. This laser is simple office procedure and it does not require any special precautions or positioning.
Both these retinal hole and macular hole are not related to dry eye disease.
You probably require laser for retinal holes and macular hole requires only follow up.
Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Hi Dr. Dadapeer,
Yes, thank you for the detailed and helpful answer. I was mistaken. I believe that I only have multiple retinal holes in each eye, because the doctor only explained the laser procedure to me. No macular holes. I remember the doctor saying that I was a mild myop and nearsighted.
After I have the laser procedure to close the holes, will additional holes continue to develop for the rest of my life? Has my retina been thinned so much for some reason that it will continue to tear or develop holes?
I am very nearsighted, but I don't wear my glasses often, even though I should. Could this cause retinal holes?
Could tanning beds have caused the retinal holes? I used to XXXXXXX often, for about one year.
Yes, thank you for the detailed and helpful answer. I was mistaken. I believe that I only have multiple retinal holes in each eye, because the doctor only explained the laser procedure to me. No macular holes. I remember the doctor saying that I was a mild myop and nearsighted.
After I have the laser procedure to close the holes, will additional holes continue to develop for the rest of my life? Has my retina been thinned so much for some reason that it will continue to tear or develop holes?
I am very nearsighted, but I don't wear my glasses often, even though I should. Could this cause retinal holes?
Could tanning beds have caused the retinal holes? I used to XXXXXXX often, for about one year.
Brief Answer:
Tanning beds is not related to retinal holes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
I reviewed your history.
Tanning beds does not have any relationship with the retinal holes.
Additional retinal holes can develop if there are predisposing factors like myopia. Hence regular follow up is advised after laser procedure.
Wearing of glasses will not directly affect the retinal holes but it will help to prevent eye strain and it will be helpful.
Hope I have answered your questions and the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
With regards
Tanning beds is not related to retinal holes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for the follow up question.
I reviewed your history.
Tanning beds does not have any relationship with the retinal holes.
Additional retinal holes can develop if there are predisposing factors like myopia. Hence regular follow up is advised after laser procedure.
Wearing of glasses will not directly affect the retinal holes but it will help to prevent eye strain and it will be helpful.
Hope I have answered your questions and the information is helpful to you.
Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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