This extra tissue can bulge or wrinkle and causes changes to your central vision.
Other names for macular pucker areepiretinalmembrane, preretinal membrane, cellophaneretinopathy, and retina wrinkle.
This article will cover what the causes of macular pucker are and its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Andersen Ross Photography Inc/ Getty Images
Andersen Ross Photography Inc/ Getty Images
Causes of Macular Pucker
Many macular puckers are because of aging.
It will pull away normally in most cases, but sometimes the vitreous will still stick to the retina.
This causes scar tissue to form.
That scar tissue can make the retina and macula (the center of the retina) wrinkle.
If the scar tissue forms over the macula, it can lead to macular pucker.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of macular pucker is a change to your vision.
Macular pucker is sometimes confused withage-related macular degeneration.
Diagnosing Macular Pucker
An optometrist will perform a dilated eye exam to check for macular pucker.
Treatment
Macular pucker does not always require treatment if it is not affecting your vision.
This is important because macular pucker can become worse.
This can help return the macula to its correct position.
It is an outpatient procedure done under local anesthesia.
With amembranectomy, the ophthalmologist can remove the scar tissue covering the retina.
Yet the exact way that it will affect your vision can vary a lot.
Some people still don’t find their vision improving after the macular pucker is removed.
If your ophthalmologist recommends surgery, discuss the risks versus the benefits.
A macular pucker can grow back, but this is not common.
Summary
Macular pucker is a sheet of tissue growing over the center of the retina.
Aging is the most common cause of macular pucker.
Optometrists can diagnose macular pucker with a dilated eye exam and OCT.
Treatment is not usually needed if your symptoms are mild, although you may need new glasses.
It may be time to get your eyes rechecked.
Finding the cause of your vision changes as early as possible can make a difference in preserving your vision.
National Eye Institute.Macular pucker.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is a macular pucker?
Columbia University Department of Ophthalmology.Macular pucker.
