Changes in your central field of vision and not the periphery may indicate a macular pucker. Experienced retina specialist Clinton Warren, MD, and the team at THIRDCOAST RETINA in Kenosha, Wisconsin, provide treatment for macular pucker to restore your vision and help you avoid complications. If you notice changes in your vision, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment by calling the office or booking one online.
Macular pucker is a rare eye condition affecting the macula — an area of tissue in the center of your retina. It usually causes mild symptoms, and you might not need any treatment.
Like many conditions affecting the retina, you can thank age-related eye changes for macular pucker. The vitreous — the clear gel inside your eye — decreases and pulls away from your retina as you age. While it happens to everyone, some people form a membrane on their retina that can wrinkle or bulge, creating a macular pucker.
For many people, macular pucker affects their central vision. You might notice that objects in your field of vision appear distorted, which is especially pronounced for straight lines and text.
Other signs and symptoms of a possible macular pucker are:
The majority of people with macular pucker experience constant symptoms, but their vision doesn’t get worse. However, in rare cases, it’s possible to experience severe vision loss or develop a complication called a macular hole, which is an opening in the macula that can only be repaired with surgery.
Dr. Warren and the team at THIRDCOAST RETINA examine your eyes and determine the severity of your condition. Macular pucker usually only affects one eye and does not disrupt your peripheral vision, which makes it easy to distinguish from other eye conditions with similar symptoms.
Once they make a diagnosis, the team at THIRDCOAST RETINA proceeds with treatment. If your symptoms are mild, treatment isn’t necessary, but you should continue to visit THIRDCOAST RETINA for eye examinations. If you need treatment, it will be one of two surgeries:
Vitrectomy is an eye surgery that removes and replaces the vitreous inside your eye. During the procedure, Dr. Warren also removes the membrane that has formed across your retina.
Membranectomy is a surgery that only removes the membrane from your retina without replacing the vitreous.
To learn more about macular pucker and surgeries for the condition, schedule an appointment at THIRDCOAST RETINA by calling the office or booking online today.