Macular hole in the eye

I have a macular hole in my left eye I found out about it a year ago when my optician picked up a dark region in the eye which could have been a bleed or anything so he sent me for an emergency appointment to the local hospital It showed up as a hole I also had cateracts in both eyes so I had the cateracts operated on last January and February
They decided they wouldn’t operate on the hole but see how it goes, my lenses are very weak as I d had laser treatment quite a few times for tears etc
At first it was weird as sign posts or car number plates etc seemed jumbled just not on the same level…. hard to explain, but after a few weeks my brain completely adjusted and the letters are all normal It’s amazing how your brain can do that
They told me if my sight changes to go for help immediately so I m very well aware that I could lose my sight but I really don’t think about it too much if it happens it happens

My first cataract op was a nightmare as the anaesthetic didn’t work and I felt everything and the surgeon just carried on and took no notice of my protestations Afterwards I complained (informally) and I was given a different surgeon for the second op and it was a breeze

I feel lucky

My bad cataract wasn’t picked up at the opticians for many visits. When it was I was fast tracked to the private sector in an NHS hospital. Two consultants refused to operate and called their senior consultant for a final check. By then I was shaking from head to toe with fear. He took charge and told his staff to operate that day. I had already been waiting six hours. The operation didn’t go well and when the anaesthetic wore off I had to have an injection in the centre of the eye. Fast forward to three months later and I no longer need reading glasses and the 50 or so floaters have disappeared and hey, I am leaving this message on my iPad. The other eye needs operating on asap and I am ready waiting and willing. Otherwise I would be blind. Thank you to the senior consultant and all of Gransnet with eye problems, be treated sooner rather than later.

As this thread is 7 years old - it might be better to start a new one Magicat

I have a macular hole which is full thickness. It was picked up on OTC scan at the opticians. I have had macular degeneration for about five years, so I thought my gradual deterioration in reading etc was just the degeneration. Anyway, I was referred to a local hospital and the consultant triaged my scan and has deemed it a non urgent case! No exp,a nation given… other than this is the NHS and “there’s a queue’. Needless to say I have complained and also asked for a second opinion. So I would like to ask other people’s experiences on waiting times, as most literature says this condition I’d quite time critical.

I had laser treatment for a raised blood vessel below the macular due to severe short sight and thin retinas about 15 years ago so can sympathise with your worry. It's a very scary prospect being told you could lose your sight and it could still happen to me. I don't have any information about macular holes but definitely can recommend the md.org site for support and information. Sorry your consultant was so blunt - they do seem to forget what is every day to them is frightening to the patients!

I had two weeks off work and could drive by then as my other eye was OK. I did try to get a bit longer off but they wouldn't wear it!

Reported

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Try the Macular Society, they have leaflets on Macular Hole and also treatment buddies. So they may be able to pair you up with someone who has already experienced this. Also find out if the hospital has an eye clinic liaison officer. They could talk through your issue and explain things more clearly.

I will speak to Diabetes Uk that is a good idea, although it is not caused in my case by my diabetes (well controlled) when I asked what had caused it then as no retinopathy present, he replied "bad luck"

Thank you all very much especially you Chelseababy. The information sheet he gave me said Inwouldnt have to do posturing ( have googled it and seen the diagrams) he said because if enough gas is put into the eye there's no need!? The information on line says I can't drive until the gas has depleted, so will have to have substantial sick time off work ( not the worst thing to worry about I know but you do think of all kinds of thing) Thank you very much for your responses, it's just nice to have your worries acknowledged

I've had an operation for a hole in the macula in Oct last year. The op itself was painless and you are under a local anaesthetic. Afterwards I had to do "posturing" for 7 days - lie or sit face down for 50 minutes of each hour and sleep on a specific side at night. If you go on the Moorfields Web site there are leaflets. My eyesight was not fully restored but I was able to read 3 lines further down on the chart. The posturing isn't too bad as long as you prepare before hand. Feel free to ask any further questions or PM me.

Could I suggest you contact the Diabetes UK helpline (number on website). They will be able to talk you through your options and know more about how it will affect you.

I empathise TwiceasNice
I have had laser treatment for an eye problem due to T2 diabetes which was discovered at my retinopathy test. I was told this may need to be repeated a couple of times if there was improvement. Unfortunately when I went back the consultant, who like yours was totally laking in bedside manner told me "It's worse, you'll need to have it injected" when I inquired whether that would require a GA he smirked and said "just drops" having Googled I discovered if the injection/s don't work I could loose my peripheral vision and my ability to drive. The consultant told me none of that.
Sorry, not helpful to you but I know how you feel. I hope your fears are not realised.

I'm sorry this is happening to you. I don't have experience of this, but I would say just concentrate on the fact that your vision will be right again after 6 months. Perhaps the doctor's 'matter of fact' approach could be due to the fact that this is all routine for him, and he sees it as nothing to be unduly concerned about, which could be quite reassuring really.

Taken aback not tea keen