A macular hole is a tear or gap in the macula at the centre of the retina. A macular hole causes blurred or distorted vision because the macula is responsible for our central vision, which we rely on to see fine details and for driving and reading.
If you’re living with a macular hole, your central vision will probably be affected. It can cause blurred and distorted vision in the affected eye and even progress to cause a blank spot but doesn’t affect peripheral vision.
Macular hole typically follows three stages:
The first symptom of a macular hole is usually a change in vision. You might notice your vision becomes more blurred or distorted, and you have trouble seeing fine details when reading or watching TV. You might also notice that straight lines start to look wavy or bumpy.
As macular hole progresses, it can create a missing patch or black spot in your central vision. However, because the macula is responsible for central vision, a macular hole doesn't affect your peripheral vision (also known as side vision), and the condition isn't painful.
If a full-thickness (stage 2) macular hole develops, you can lose most of your central vision so it's important to see an optician if you notice any of these symptoms.
In the following video, Laura shares her experience of living with a macular hole.
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If you're having trouble with your vision since being diagnosed with a macular hole, there are many ideas to help you. For example, magnifying lenses and better lighting can make it easier to read and see details.
At Guide Dogs, we have a wide range of services, both with and without guide dogs, and a team of experts who can work with you to understand your needs and agree on a plan that’s right for you.
The ways we could help you:
Enquire today, so we can help to find solutions that work for you
Being diagnosed with a macular hole doesn't necessarily mean you can't work. The effect on your central vision depends on the stage of the condition and the size of the hole.
If your sight is affected, it may be a good idea to tell your employer. There could be things they can do to help you at work, and it's their responsibility to make reasonable adjustments. We have lots of ideas for coping with changes to your central vision.
It’s also a good idea to tell work if you’re going to have surgery so that you can plan ahead together. Everyone having macular hole surgery will need some time off to recover. The length of time off you need will depend on the type of work you do. For example, if your job involves driving, you may need more time off. You can discuss returning to work with your ophthalmologist at a check-up appointment after the surgery.
Having a macular hole can affect your central vision, causing symptoms such as blurred or distorted vision and straight lines or objects appearing wavy or crooked. At an advanced stage, a macular hole can cause a black patch at the centre of your vision. Because of this, it may affect your ability to drive safely. The DVLA has a minimum required standard of vision for driving. Speak to your ophthalmologist for advice, based on how the condition is affecting you. When recovering from surgery to repair a macular hole, you won't be able to drive. It's likely to be six to eight weeks before your eye recovers sufficiently.
Being diagnosed with a condition that affects your sight can be an upsetting time, and you might worry about how you'll cope with lasting changes to your vision. However, there's support available to help you adjust to any changes, and you may be reassured by hearing from others who've been there before you.
You can contact us to find out about services and support tailored to your individual needs.
Guide Dogs is committed to working alongside people with a range of vision impairments, who are registered as either sight-impaired or severely sight-impaired.
Our staff undergo comprehensive training in supporting individuals with vision impairment, to enable us to support you every step of the way through one of our many services, with and without dogs. We foster knowledge of living with vision impairment and create content in collaboration with our Vision Rehabilitation Specialists and Habilitation Specialists.
This content is periodically reviewed as we continue to embrace new knowledge and up-to-date information, in order to improve how we deliver our services and advice.
Please note: Whilst Guide Dogs may be able to suggest various third-party websites which may be able to assist you, those are not endorsed by Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs have no control over those third parties and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information and support they can provide or the suitability and quality of any products or services they provide.
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