nih-gov/www.nei.nih.gov/node/119
2025-02-26 13:17:41 -05:00

881 lines
35 KiB
Text
Raw Permalink Blame History

This file contains ambiguous Unicode characters

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" dir="ltr">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<meta name="description" content="A macular pucker is scar tissue that has formed on the eyes macula. It can cause blurred and distorted vision. Learn more about macular pucker, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment." />
<meta name="google" content="vityevxlt8UuVFWvgz9_YwmJ5F0Nby_B3t54LLh-3Zw,lACaj571Gx_VdLF3HKSKUf1Wxx0H_bWxO3BYDZ_C1uw" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="vityevxlt8UuVFWvgz9_YwmJ5F0Nby_B3t54LLh-3Zw" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="lACaj571Gx_VdLF3HKSKUf1Wxx0H_bWxO3BYDZ_C1uw" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="UDfyeEAWNX_rJUHwog9j1kziEnByGwhkSJGLJclUWDA" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<script type="application/ld+json">{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@graph": [
{
"@type": "WebPage",
"@id": "https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/macular-pucker",
"breadcrumb": {
"@type": "BreadcrumbList",
"itemListElement": [
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 1,
"name": "Home",
"item": "https://www.nei.nih.gov/"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 2,
"name": "Learn About Eye Health",
"item": "https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 3,
"name": "Eye Conditions and Diseases",
"item": "https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 4,
"name": "Macular Pucker",
"item": "https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/macular-pucker"
}
]
},
"author": {
"@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.nei.nih.gov",
"name": "National Eye Institute",
"url": "https://www.nei.nih.gov"
},
"publisher": {
"@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.nei.nih.gov",
"name": "National Eye Institute",
"url": "https://www.nei.nih.gov"
}
}
]
}</script>
<link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/themes/custom/nei/images/favicon.png" />
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/themes/custom/nei/images/apple-touch-icon.png" />
<meta name="last-updated" content="Dec 4, 2024, 12:18:22 PM" />
<link rel="icon" href="/themes/custom/nei/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="en" href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/macular-pucker" />
<link rel="alternate" hreflang="es" href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/espanol/aprenda-sobre-la-salud-ocular/enfermedades-y-afecciones-de-los-ojos/pliegue-macular" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/macular-pucker" />
<link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.nei.nih.gov/node/119" />
<title>Macular Pucker | National Eye Institute</title>
<link rel="preload" href="/themes/custom/nei/fonts/Aleo-Bold.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin>
<link rel="preload" href="/themes/custom/nei/fonts/Lato-Regular.woff2" as="font" type="font/woff2" crossorigin>
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/sites/default/files/css/css_PGSk_7b88hq2qr_--_38MLvoj1ffr9jv3JhnNJTnKUM.css?delta=0&amp;language=en&amp;theme=nei&amp;include=eJw1ytEKgCAMRuEXsnwk-dMxrOliTqi3j4iuDnycfFCprpbyHK4tDb-FRvwSshrFYvOErNhxBUHnCaYEcbJ_61Qji26Q5ZXa-QH_YCJ9" />
<link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="/themes/custom/nei/css/style.css?sraguf" />
<script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/119","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","gtag":{"tagId":"","consentMode":false,"otherIds":[],"events":[],"additionalConfigInfo":[]},"suppressDeprecationErrors":true,"ajaxPageState":{"libraries":"eJxdjFsOwjAMBC8U6iNFbmKZgPNQ7BTK6SmgCsrPrndkTbhSTFa7D0OtZq-2Cil8yoWOj5WYYT8c18pC3pCBt_jfE17wfoTZCRYeyORRjPruLmhpIS-b2EvFmArD73CFErDUGeWkoadmekCb5fXVsCN3bGeF2EdDmb5kGqWNWZKeKTpd1SjDjEpuSXRTeOeUaxxCT9WYZ50","theme":"nei","theme_token":null},"ajaxTrustedUrl":{"form_action_p_pvdeGsVG5zNF_XLGPTvYSKCf43t8qZYSwcfZl2uzM":true},"gtm":{"tagId":null,"settings":{"data_layer":"dataLayer","include_classes":false,"allowlist_classes":"google\nnonGooglePixels\nnonGoogleScripts\nnonGoogleIframes","blocklist_classes":"customScripts\ncustomPixels","include_environment":false,"environment_id":"","environment_token":""},"tagIds":["GTM-TLVNS7W"]},"user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"c48594e108b5c1c2bea409821b71477d5bc2724c8cae6d31f1d985af0daab85c"}}</script>
<script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_WgzMsgqb-MiW-Z2aLffGQHepZwX2hWrEHSrb46WqZrk.js?scope=header&amp;delta=0&amp;language=en&amp;theme=nei&amp;include=eJxdjEEOgCAMBD-E9kmkYrOpqdQAMerr5eBBvUx29jCp8HUKQOkZAe4wiY1B6Pj7yAsf33MNmZvuEq0nojnPmkFvCVmUYD6xDTUV3Vq9ATUbLxk"></script>
<script src="https://script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0117/6571.js" async></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtag.js?sraguf"></script>
<script src="/modules/contrib/google_tag/js/gtm.js?sraguf"></script>
</head>
<body class="t-disease t-node__119 path-learn-about-eye-health-eye-conditions-and-diseases-macular-pucker">
<a href="#main-content" class="u-skip-link">
Skip to content
</a>
<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-TLVNS7W"
height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
<div class="dialog-off-canvas-main-canvas" data-off-canvas-main-canvas>
<div id="u-page-outer" class="u-outer">
<div class="views-element-container site-notice-block" id="block-views-block-site-notices-block-1">
<div>
<div class="js-view-dom-id-72cc1632abbd95ff8cb03c6ae8981e019774d612a073afaf82d31d2acd4b8a84 site-notices">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<img src="/themes/custom/nei/images/NEI-logo-tagline.svg" alt="" width="200" height="48" class="u-print-only">
<div class="r-global-header">
<div id="r-header-outer" class="r-header">
<div class="r-header-inner">
<div id="block-nei-branding" class="o-block--logo" role="banner">
<div class="o-logo">
<a href="/" class="o-logo__link" title="Home" rel="home"><span class="o-logo__text">National Eye Institute</span> <span class="o-logo__tagline">Research Today&hellip; Vision Tomorrow</span></a>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-neimenubutton-2">
<div class="o-menu-toggle"><button class="o-menu-toggle__btn" id="menu-toggle__btn" aria-controls="block-mainnavigation" aria-expanded="true">Menu</button></div>
</div>
<div class="language-switcher-language-url" id="block-languageswitcher" role="navigation" aria-label="Language switcher">
<ul class="links">
<li class="is-active">
<a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/macular-pucker" class="language-link is-active" lang="en" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/119" aria-current="page">English</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/espanol/aprenda-sobre-la-salud-ocular/enfermedades-y-afecciones-de-los-ojos/pliegue-macular" class="language-link is-active" lang="es" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/119" aria-current="page"> Español</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="search-global c-search--global" data-drupal-selector="search-global" id="block-globalsearchform" role="search">
<form action="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/macular-pucker" method="post" id="search-global" accept-charset="UTF-8">
<div class="c-form__inner">
<div class="js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textfield form-item-global-terms js-form-item-global-terms">
<label for="edit-global-terms">Search the site</label>
<input data-drupal-selector="edit-global-terms" type="text" id="edit-global-terms" name="global-terms" value="" size="30" maxlength="128" placeholder="Search the site" class="form-text" />
</div>
<input data-drupal-selector="form-xocd8hbbxgi9g5twb-qn5-hmktz5kghrbbpxqdsr8yu" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-XocD8HBbXgi9G5TWb-qn5_HmKtZ5KghrBbPxQdsr8yU" />
<input data-drupal-selector="edit-search-global" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="search_global" />
<div data-drupal-selector="edit-global-actions" class="form-actions js-form-wrapper form-wrapper" id="edit-global-actions"><input data-drupal-selector="edit-global-submit" type="submit" id="edit-global-submit" name="op" value="Search" class="button js-form-submit form-submit" />
</div>
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="r-menu-primary">
<nav aria-label="Main navigation" id="block-mainnavigation" class="o-menu-main__outer">
<ul class="o-menu o-menu-main"> <li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--expanded o-menu-main__item--no-js o-menu-main__item--active-trail"> <a href="/learn-about-eye-health" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/39">Learn About Eye Health</a>
<ul class="o-menu o-menu-main__submenu"> <li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/788">Healthy Vision</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed o-menu-main__item--active-trail"> <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases">Eye Conditions and Diseases</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-health-data-and-statistics" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/825">Eye Health Data and Statistics</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/campaigns" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3859">Campaigns</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item"> <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/vision-rehabilitation" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3865">Vision Rehabilitation</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item"> <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/nei-for-kids" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/162">NEI for Kids</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-resources" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/125">Outreach Resources</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--expanded o-menu-main__item--no-js"> <a href="/grants-and-training" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/143">Grants and Training</a>
<ul class="o-menu-main__submenu o-menu"> <li class="o-menu-main__item"> <a href="/grants-and-training/how-apply" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/145">How to Apply</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/grants-and-training/funding-opportunities" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/144">Funding Opportunities</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/grants-and-training/training-nei" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/146">Training at NEI</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/grants-and-training/funding-training-and-career-development" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/152">Funding for Training and Career Development</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/grants-and-training/policies-and-procedures" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/149">Policies and Procedures</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item"> <a href="/grants-and-training/Prior-Approval-Requests" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/3918">Prior Approval Requests</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/grants-and-training/resources-researchers" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/150">Resources for Researchers</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/grants-and-training/contact-grants-and-funding-staff" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/151">Contact Grants and Funding Staff</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--expanded o-menu-main__item--no-js"> <a href="/research" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/41">Research at NEI</a>
<ul class="o-menu-main__submenu o-menu"> <li class="o-menu-main__item"> <a href="/about/news-and-events/news" title="Research News" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="about/news-and-events/news">Research News</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/research/clinical-trials" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/132">Clinical Trials</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/research/research-labs-and-branches" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/270">Research Labs and Branches</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item"> <a href="/research/jobs-and-training-opportunities-nei" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/564">Jobs and Training Opportunities at NEI</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item"> <a href="/research/seminars" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/4048">NEI Research Seminars</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--expanded o-menu-main__item--no-js"> <a href="/about" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/275">About NEI</a>
<ul class="o-menu-main__submenu o-menu"> <li class="o-menu-main__item"> <a href="/about/strategic-planning" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/2857">Strategic Planning</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/about/news-and-events" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/131">News and Events</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/about/goals-and-accomplishments" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/281">Goals and Accomplishments</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/about/nei-history" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/282">NEI History</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/about/nei-leadership" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/415">NEI Leadership</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/about/budget-and-congress" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/395">Budget and Congress</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item o-menu-main__item--collapsed"> <a href="/about/advisory-committees" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/285">Advisory Committees</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item"> <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/outreach-resources/national-eye-health-education-program" title="National Eye Health Education Program" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/265">National Eye Health Education Program</a>
</li>
<li class="o-menu-main__item"> <a href="/about/donate-nei" class="o-menu-main__link" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/286">Donate to NEI</a>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>
</div>
</div>
<div class="o-overlay" aria-hidden="true"></div>
<div class="r-breadcrumb">
<div id="block-nei-breadcrumbs">
<nav aria-label="Breadcrumb">
<ol class="c-breadcrumb">
<li>
<a href="/">Home</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/learn-about-eye-health">Learn About Eye Health</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases">Eye Conditions and Diseases</a>
</li>
<li>
Macular Pucker
</li>
</ol>
</nav>
</div>
</div>
<div class="r-page-header">
<div class="o-page-header">
<div id="block-neiprintbutton-2">
<div class="c-print-page"><a class="c-print-page__btn" href="javascript:window.print()">Print this Page</a></div>
</div>
<div id="block-nei-page-title">
<h1>
<span>Macular Pucker</span>
</h1>
</div>
<div id="block-jumpmenu-2">
<div class="c-jump-menu">
<div class="c-jump-menu__intro">On this page:</div>
<a class="c-jump-menu__item" href="#section-id-1216">Symptoms</a>
<a class="c-jump-menu__item" href="#section-id-18000">Risk</a>
<a class="c-jump-menu__item" href="#section-id-1212">Causes</a>
<a class="c-jump-menu__item" href="#section-id-18004">Diagnosis</a>
<a class="c-jump-menu__item" href="#section-id-1222">Treatment</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="r-highlighted">
<div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div>
</div>
<div class="r-help">
</div>
<main id="main-content" class="r-main">
<div class="r-pre-content">
<div class="views-element-container" id="block-views-block-nei-disease-subpage-list-block-2">
<div>
<div class="js-view-dom-id-d21290ee3b904371b729975972d454cdf8a3e1ddf5e07d4a18c44544327ffa97 nei-disease-subpage-list">
<div class="views-row"><div class="c-at-a-glance">
<div class="c-at-a-glance__image">
<img loading="lazy" src="/sites/default/files/styles/square_medium/public/2019-03/Macular-Pucker-GettyImages-677455342%20%281%29.jpg?itok=QSasbaUl" width="600" height="600" alt="An elderly woman has her eye examined using a slit lamp" />
</div>
<div class="c-at-a-glance__content">
<h2 class="c-at-a-glance__title">At a glance: Macular Pucker</h2>
<ul><li><div class="c-at-a-glance__item">
<strong class="c-at-a-glance__label">Symptoms:</strong>
<div class="c-at-a-glance__description"><p>Blurry or wavy vision</p></div>
</div>
</li><li><div class="c-at-a-glance__item">
<strong class="c-at-a-glance__label">Diagnosis:</strong>
<div class="c-at-a-glance__description"><p>Dilated eye exam</p></div>
</div>
</li><li><div class="c-at-a-glance__item">
<strong class="c-at-a-glance__label">Treatment:</strong>
<div class="c-at-a-glance__description"><p>None for mild cases, surgery for serious cases</p></div>
</div>
</li></ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="r-splitter">
<div class="r-content">
<div id="block-nei-content">
<article data-history-node-id="119">
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-1210">
<h2 class="c-section__heading">
What is a macular pucker?
</h2>
<div class="c-text">
<p>A macular pucker is a rare eye condition that can make your vision wavy or distorted. Most of the time, experts dont know what causes it.</p><p>Many people who have macular pucker have mild symptoms — and most people dont need any treatment. But if a macular pucker makes it hard to do daily activities, you may need surgery to help you see more clearly.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-1216">
<h2 class="c-section__heading">
What are the symptoms of a macular pucker?
</h2>
<div class="c-text">
<p>A macular pucker can make things wavy or distorted. Straight lines — like a sentence in a book — might look bent or wavy. When you read, you might notice that letters or words are hard to read, missing, or crowded. You may also have trouble seeing small details.</p><p>If the macular pucker gets worse, letters or objects may be so blurry that you have a hard time seeing them at all.</p><p>Macular pucker usually affects 1 eye. In most cases, symptoms are mild and or get worse slowly. Some people get used to the changes in their vision — but if you notice any changes, its important to talk to your eye doctor.</p><p>In rare cases, a macular pucker can cause severe vision loss or lead to a related eye condition called a macular hole.</p>
</div>
<div class="c-link">
<a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/macular-hole" class="c-link__link">Learn more about macular hole</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="c-callout c-callout--wide c-callout--rounded" id="section-id-18007">
<figure class="c-callout__image">
<img src="https://www.nei.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/400px_square_crop/public/2021-09/GettyImages-1211390807.jpg?itok=TOCu98Bx" alt="a doctor talks with a patient " />
</figure>
<div class="c-callout__content">
<h2 class="c-callout__heading">
Is a macular pucker the same as age-related macular degeneration?
</h2>
<div class="c-text">
<p>No. Macular puckers and age-related macular degeneration may have similar symptoms, but theyre very different conditions. If you arent sure which condition you have, talk to your eye doctor.</p>
</div>
<div class="c-link">
<a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/age-related-macular-degeneration" class="c-link__link">Learn more about age-related macular degeneration</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-18000">
<h2 class="c-section__heading">
Am I at risk for a macular pucker?
</h2>
<div class="c-text">
<p>A macular pucker can happen at any age, but your risk goes up as you get older.</p><p>You may also be at risk for a macular pucker if you:</p><ul><li>Have <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/floaters">floaters</a></li><li>Had <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/vitreous-detachment">vitreous detachment</a></li><li>Had a retinal tear or <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment">retinal detachment</a></li><li>Had an eye injury, laser treatment, or eye surgery</li><li>Had <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/uveitis">uveitis</a> (inflammation in your eye)</li></ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-1212">
<h2 class="c-section__heading">
What causes a macular pucker?
</h2>
<div class="c-text">
<p>Most of the time, a macular pucker happens because of normal changes in your eye when you get older.</p><p>As you age, your vitreous — the clear gel that fills your eye and gives it a round shape — shrinks and pulls away from your retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of the eye). This is called a vitreous detachment and it happens to everyone as they get older.</p><p>In some people, a membrane forms on the surface of the retina. This membrane can create wrinkles or “puckers.” If the membrane forms over a part of the retina called the macula, it can cause a macular pucker.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-18004">
<h2 class="c-section__heading">
How will an eye doctor check for a macular pucker?
</h2>
<div class="c-text">
<p>Your eye doctor will check for macular pucker as part of a dilated eye exam. The exam is simple and painless. Your doctor will give you some eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupil and take a look at the retina.</p>
</div>
<div class="c-link">
<a href="/learn-about-eye-health/healthy-vision/get-dilated-eye-exam" class="c-link__link">Learn what to expect from a dilated eye exam</a>
</div>
<div class="c-text">
<p>If your doctor thinks you have a macular pucker, they may also do a test called an optical coherence tomography (OCT). This test helps the doctor see how severe the macular pucker is. OCT is a quick and painless test that uses light waves to take detailed pictures of your retina. Before the test, your doctor may give you some eye drops to dilate (widen) your pupil.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="c-section" id="section-id-1222">
<h2 class="c-section__heading">
What's the treatment for a macular pucker?
</h2>
<div class="c-text">
<p>Most people with a macular pucker have mild symptoms that dont need any treatment, but youll need to get regular eye exams to make sure the macular pucker doesnt get worse. Your eye doctor might also recommend glasses or a new glasses prescription to help you see better.</p><p>If a macular pucker makes it hard to do everyday activities, like reading or driving, talk to your eye doctor. You may need surgery to remove the membrane and smooth out the wrinkles on your retina.</p><p>There are 2 types of surgery for a macular pucker:</p><ul><li><strong>Vitrectomy.</strong> During a vitrectomy, the doctor removes the vitreous and then removes the membrane from the retina. <a href="/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment/vitrectomy">Learn more about vitrectomy</a>.</li><li><strong>Membranectomy.</strong> During this surgery, the eye doctor removes the membrane from your retina. This surgery usually takes less than 30 minutes and can happen in a doctors office.</li></ul>
</div>
</div>
</article>
</div>
<p class="views-element-container c-last-updated" id="block-views-block-nei-last-updated-block-1"><strong>Last updated:</strong> December 4, 2024</p>
</div>
<aside class="r-sidebar" role="complementary">
<div class="views-element-container" id="block-views-block-nei-sidebar-block-1">
<div>
<div class="js-view-dom-id-ff51b5e422abca136198769ba1dce9d3b418fd00d06e012c0470cbcd7c98286b nei-sidebar">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</aside>
</div>
</main>
<div class="r-footer">
<footer class="o-footer" role="contentinfo">
<div id="block-footer-2">
<div class="o-footer__row">
<div class="o-footer__group o-footer__group--logo"><a class="o-logo__link" href="/" rel="home" title="Home"><span class="o-logo__text">National Eye Institute</span></a>
<ul class="o-menu-social">
<li class="o-menu-social__item"><a class="o-menu-social__link o-menu-social__link--facebook outlink-ignore" href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalEyeInstitute">Facebook</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-social__item"><a class="o-menu-social__link o-menu-social__link--twitter outlink-ignore" href="https://twitter.com/NatEyeInstitute">Twitter</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-social__item"><a class="o-menu-social__link o-menu-social__link--linkedin outlink-ignore" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-eye-institute-nei">LinkedIn</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-social__item"><a class="o-menu-social__link o-menu-social__link--youtube outlink-ignore" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/neinih">YouTube</a></li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
<div class="o-footer__group o-footer__group--contact">
<h2 class="o-footer__title">Contact NEI</h2>
<ul class="o-menu-footer">
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="/contact-us/">Contact Us</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/visitor-information">Visit NIH</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="https://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=insidenei&amp;A=1">Get Email Updates from NEI</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="o-footer__group o-footer__group--policies">
<h2 class="o-footer__title">Policies</h2>
<ul class="o-menu-footer">
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="/accessibility-information">Accessibility</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="https://www.nih.gov/nondiscrimination-notice-language-assistance-services">Information in Other Languages</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="/nei-website-privacy-policy">Privacy</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="/freedom-information-act">Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="/disclaimers">Disclaimers</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="/web-policies ">Web Policies</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html ">Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="o-footer__group o-footer__group--employees">
<h2 class="o-footer__title">For NEI Employees</h2>
<ul class="o-menu-footer">
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="https://intranet.nei.nih.gov">Intranet</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="https://intranet.nei.nih.gov/hr/Pages/emergency.aspx">Emergency Information</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="https://ned.nih.gov/search/search.aspx">NIH Staff Directory</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div class="o-footer__row">
<div class="o-footer__full o-footer__full--parent">
<ul class="o-menu-footer o-menu-footer--swing">
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="https://www.nih.gov/">NIH.gov</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="https://hhs.gov/">HHS.gov</a></li>
<li class="o-menu-footer__item"><a class="o-menu-footer__link" href="https://usa.gov/">USA.gov</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</footer>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="c-lb-wrapper" id="lb-wrapper" aria-hidden="true">
<div class="c-lb-overlay" tabindex="-1"></div>
<div role="dialog" class="c-lb" id="lb">
<div class="c-lb-header">
<button class="c-lb-close-btn"><span class="c-lb-close-btn-text">Close</span><span class="c-lb-close-btn-text times" aria-hidden="true">&times;</span></button>
</div>
<figure class="c-lb-figure">
<figcaption class="c-lb-caption"></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
</div>
<script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_agazM-qm5cOcplNZo9kNIWFtUrwt0V1xgAKtLyM44Us.js?scope=footer&amp;delta=0&amp;language=en&amp;theme=nei&amp;include=eJxdjEEOgCAMBD-E9kmkYrOpqdQAMerr5eBBvUx29jCp8HUKQOkZAe4wiY1B6Pj7yAsf33MNmZvuEq0nojnPmkFvCVmUYD6xDTUV3Vq9ATUbLxk"></script>
<script src="/themes/custom/nei/js/scripts.js?sraguf"></script>
</body>
</html>