The eye is responsible for transforming light into nerve signals that are then processed in the brain, providing us with the ability to see clearly, identify objects and people. The back of the eye is the retina, a layered sheet of nerve cells. The eye is filled with a clear gel, known as vitreous gel. The macula, is the central area of the retina, responsible for colour vision and finer detail, such as being able to recognise a person. Macular disorders can cause serious sight impairments to thousands of people.

Macular holes are relatively common sight impairments, often caused by the natural ageing process, affective at least two out of one thousand people over the age of forty. Macular holes develop naturally through the push and pull forces inside the ye, causing the tissues in the macula to separate.

The most common treatment is macular hole surgery. This is a vitrectomy that removes the vitreous gel to reduce the pulling forces. A gas is then injected into the eye to replace the gel that has been removed. It pushes down on the separated tissues, helping them to heal and the hole to close. Over time the gas is naturally absorbed into the body as the eye produces new vitreous gel.

Up until now the most common position post macular hole surgery was to spend a long period of time face down. This would be done for up to two weeks to improve the success of the hole closure. The face down position ensures that the gas bubble pushes down on the right place. It is a very uncomfortable position and could potentially cause more harm than good.

Ray Man, the PA to Mahi Muqit, said “There has been a lot of studies recently on whether the face down position is essential to the macular hole surgery success, along with risks associated with being in this position for extended periods. Randomised controlled trials were held with patients with unknown spontaneous macular holes. They were randomly assigned different treatments. The study compared face down to non face down position and there was no positive effect on hole closure with the face down position. It was uncertain on the effect of face down positioning on quality of life and vision. Those that participated with large macular holes with less favourable outcomes, the largest individual trial showed some benefit, but most studies were assessed together. The risk of not lying face down was minimal with only one in three hundred participants experiencing problems.”

About Us:

Mahi Muqit is a leading consultant ophthalmologist, cataract and vitreoretinal surgeon at two private clinics in London, United Kingdom. He provides patients with superior service and support with a range of surgical procedures to meet their eye sight requirements. He has built up a solid reputation for his eye services in the London area as an expert eye doctor and surgeon offering surgical retina, medical retina and complex cataract surgery. He also offers surgery to patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. Mahi Muqit is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, a member of the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons and the UK and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. To find out more, visit https://www.retinasurgeon.uk.com/.