Understanding Macula Pucker
When a scar tissue which forms on the macula of the eye located in the center of the light-sensitive tissue called retina is known as macular pucker.
The macula is responsible for giving the sharp vision which is used for reading, driving, and noticing minute details. Due to macular pucker, the central vision of a person can get blurred and distorted.
Other names with which this disorder can be referred to are epiretinal membrane, preretinal membrane, cellophane maculopathy, retina wrinkle, surface wrinkling retinopathy, premacular fibrosis, and internal limiting membrane disease.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Disorder
Is there are difference between macular pucker and macular degeneration?
Macular pucker and macular degeneration are two different conditions. However, the symptoms of both the diseases can be similar.
Can the Condition Worsen?
In most of the patients, the vision gets stable and the condition does not worsen further. However, macular pucker may occur in the other eye once affecting one.
What is the Difference between Macular Pucker and Macular Hole?
Although blurred and distorted vision can be found in both the conditions yet, both the disorders are different from each other. The cause of both the disorders is tugging on the retina from a shrinking vitreous. When the vitreous detaches from the retina due to ageing, it can cause damage to the retina. When the retina tries to heal itself, a macular pucker is formed. It happens very rarely that macular pucker forms into a macular hole.
Risk Factors
People who have crossed the age of 60 older, especially women are at a higher risk of catching the disease.
Age plays a significant role in the development of macular. Besides this, there are several other factors which contribute to its development:
- A history of retinal tear or detachment
- People with diabetes
- Retinal venous occlusions
- Inflammation in the eye (uveitis)
Image courtesy: Getty Images
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