Vitreomacular traction

[Mandrose]

Hi all, after a few health issues at the beginning of the year, one of the diagnosis was vitreomacular traction in my left eye & dry eye in my right.

I was offered either to be put on the list for an op or to wait for 6 months in the hope the VMT corrected itself, I decided to wait & cross my fingers! I had my follow up appointment today & unfortunately there's no change, so I'm now on the waiting list for a PPV surgical op in the next few months.

The consultant was fantastic & when I uttered the words "I'm scared" he was suddenly in front of me and was very reassuring. i did wonder about waiting again but I'm having an issue coping at work. I've got a large screen & had a special arm attached to it early in the year, so I can pull it up close. Although that's (mostly) stopped the eye strain & headaches it really isn't comfortable on my body & is causing all sorts of aches & pains The consultant said as I still have some years before I retire ( 13 in total) it would be of a benefit to go ahead with the procedure, which of course I agree with but it doesn't take away the fear.

I just wondered if anyone else has had the same procedure & can reassure me? Because I'm so anxious the doctor has put me down for a general anesthetic, which I'm relieved about but I'm not sure on the recovery time or what it entails?

Any comments/advise would be very welcome 🙂 Thank you!

[RP1944]

Sorry you have to have an operation on your eye but hopefully your life will be easier afterwards. Go for the General anesthetic as you won't know a thing about it. Hopefully the waiting list isn't too long. Good luck.

[Macular_1]

Hi Mandrose,

Sorry to learn about your eye problems.

I assume that you are to have a 'vitrectomy' operation?

Has the VMT caused a macular hole?

If you would like to chat further, please call the Macular Society helpline; on 0300 30 30 111 (9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday).

We can have a chat and may be able to get someone who has had a vitrectomy operation (for a Macular Hole) to give you a call for reassurance.

Best wishes

Macular Society

[Ayayay80]

Hi mandrose

When I was first diagnosed with wet AMD the additional complication was epithelial detachment with vitreomacular traction. It meant that the vitreous gel had pulled away from the retina with only a small part of it remaining stuck to the retina and pulling on the macula. I am not aware that it caused a macular hole, but we are all different. Nine months later the traction had freed itself, according to one of my cosultants and I don't know whether it caused a macular hole. As far as I know, shrinking of the gel and often macular hole is agerelated. Depending on the size of the hole, when it causes visual problems, it will have to be repaired. Do follow the advice of your consultant. I hope you don't worry too much. Let us know how you got on.

Best wishes

[Mandrose]

Thank you for your replies, much appreciated 🙂 The traction hasn't caused a macular hole thankfully, it's just part of the vitreous gel has stuck to my retina as ayayay80 said, which is distorting my vision & making it blurry.

I was diagnosed in February and the consultant agreed to me waiting to see if it repaired itself, although there was a risk the traction could cause a hole. The scan I had on Monday showed the traction is exactly the same as Feb, no better but no worse and the doctor said after 6 months it's highly unlikely to right itself now.

He explained the op as the gel being removed, which will release the traction, then liquid will be put in to replace the gel. He said I will definitely get a cataract, possibly within 2 years but this is easily corrected.

Since Monday, I've calmed down a little & decided not to worry yet, as I haven't even got a date! I should also say the doctor reassured me they would check again before the op, just to make sure it hasn't got better on its own - who knows, maybe 6 months isn't enough for my body to heal itself, lol!

I would be interested to know if anyone has had the same op and how it went. Many thanks again for your responses and kind words x