A macular hole is a full-thickness defect of retinal tissue involving the anatomic fovea of the eye.
There are various causes of macular hole: it can be idiopathic or due to trauma, accidental foveal burns with laser, long-standing cystoid macular edema and myopia.
The underlying pathophysiology for the formation of these holes is not well understood, although epiretinal membrane formation, vitreous traction and hydraulic forces may play a role in a few cases. The anteroposterior and “tangential” vitreous traction on the fovea may be a primary cause off macular holes in the majority of cases.
Differential Diagnosis
- Central serous retinopathy
- AMD
- Cystoid macular edema
- Epiretinal membrane with pseudo-hole
- Lamellar...
A macular hole is a full-thickness defect of retinal tissue involving the anatomic fovea of the eye.
There are various causes of macular hole: it can be idiopathic or due to trauma, accidental foveal burns with laser, long-standing cystoid macular edema and myopia.
The underlying pathophysiology for the formation of these holes is not well understood, although epiretinal membrane formation, vitreous traction and hydraulic forces may play a role in a few cases. The anteroposterior and “tangential” vitreous traction on the fovea may be a primary cause off macular holes in the majority of cases.
Differential Diagnosis
- Central serous retinopathy
- AMD
- Cystoid macular edema
- Epiretinal membrane with pseudo-hole
- Lamellar hole
- Solar retinopathy
- Solitary drusen
- Vitreomacular traction syndrome
References:
Johnson RN, Gass JD. Idiopathic macular holes. Observations, stages of formation, and
implications for surgical intervention. Ophthalmology. Jul 1988;95(7):917-24. [Medline].
