


Macular holes usually occur in those over the age of 60. It occurs when the gel that gives the eye its round shape shrinks and contracts, pulling away from the retina and causing tears. Macular holeĪs the name implies, a macular hole is a small tear or break in the macula. Symptoms include “ floaters” (specks in your vision) or flashes of light in your eyes.Ĭall your ophthalmologist if available, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. Medical emergencyĪ detached retina is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. But, central vision can be impacted if the macula is affected. Retinal detachment usually starts in the periphery of the retina. This may occur due to injury, medical condition, or trauma. When the retina detaches from the structures that support it, vision is affected. This extra fluid causes the macula to swell and thicken, causing distorted vision. certain inflammatory disorders (such as uveitis, or inflammation of the eye’s uvea or middle layer of the eye).This fluid can leak from surrounding blood vessels that become damaged due to: This is a condition in which fluid builds up in the macula. This pulls on the retina and causes distorted vision.Ībout 20 percent of people in the United States over the age of 75 have ERMs, although not all cases are severe enough to require treatment. This defect can be caused by age, retinal tears, and diseases like diabetes, which affect vascular regions in the eye.ĮRMs begin with cells growing on the smooth retinal membrane. They’re caused by a defect in the surface lining of the retina. Epiretinal membranes (ERMs)ĮRMs are also called macular puckers. Wet AMD is more likely to produce metamorphopsia than dry AMD. The macula gets thinner due to aging, where yellow-colored lipid fatty proteins (called drusen) clump under the surface, causing vision loss. There’s no leakage of fluid or blood into the macula. Blood vessels leak fluid or blood into the macula (less common than dry AMD). 18.6 percent experienced distortions of faces.21.6 percent had distortions of lines of bathroom tile.22.6 percent noticed distortions of window frames and bookshelves.45 percent of study subjects had visual distortions of lines (for example, newsprint or computer displays).In one 2018 study looking at AMD and metamorphopsia: possibly related to environmental factors like diet and smoking.the leading cause of vision loss among those 50 years and older.The National Eye Institute reports that AMD is: These include: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)ĪMD is a common degenerative disorder affecting the macula, the part of your eye that lets you see in sharp focus and fine detail. Metamorphopsia can be a symptom of a variety of eye disorders that affect the retina and macula.
