---
title: What is a macular hole?
description: "A macular hole is a small full-thickness defect in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. It can cause blurred, distorted, or missing central vision in the affected eye. ## Why Macular Holes Develop Most…"
url: "https://bluefinvision.com/knowledge-base/topics/conditions-diseases/what-is-a-macular-hole/"
updated: "2025-12-11"
category: "Conditions & Diseases"
---

# What is a macular hole?

A macular hole is a small full-thickness defect in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. It can cause blurred, distorted, or missing central vision in the affected eye.

## Why Macular Holes Develop

Most macular holes develop as the vitreous gel separates from the retina with age and pulls on the macula. Trauma or high myopia can also contribute.

- Symptoms often start with distortion or a blurred central spot
- Peripheral vision usually remains normal
- More common in people over 60

## Treatment

Many macular holes are treated with vitrectomy surgery, internal limiting membrane peeling, and gas tamponade; patients may need temporary face-down positioning. Further detail on surgical techniques is described on the [vitreoretinal surgery](https://bluefinvision.com/vitreoretinal-surgery/) page and in the Blue Fin Vision® article [what is vitrectomy surgery?](https://bluefinvision.com/blog/what-is-vitrectomy-surgery/).

## Outlook

Early treatment improves the chance of hole closure and visual improvement, so new central distortion or missing areas of vision should be assessed promptly.