More info anyone? I have a hole in my retina how common is this, is it a threat !

More info anyone? I have a hole in my retina how common is this, is it a threat to my sight & wht wl thy do?

Found during routine visit to opticians, my specs prescription hasn't changed, no symptoms, not classed as an emergency but have been refered to eye infirmary. 38 years old female, gently active, dog walking and tai chi, suffer from fibromyalgia and anxiety. taking 20mg prozac a day. Worn specs since I was 14 short sighted with astigmatism.

Hmmm very interesting situation. Seems very odd that you are only 38 and have been diagnosed with a macular (part of retina) hole. A macular hole occurs most commonly in women in their 60's and 70's. It is a partial or full thickness absence of the sensory retina in tha macula. Early stages of macular hole formation symptoms are slight distortion or blurriness in their straight-ahead vision. Straight lines or objects can begin to look bent or wavy. Reading and performing other routine tasks with the affected eye become difficult.
There are 3 stages
1. Foveal detachments -Without treatment, about half of Stage I macular holes will progress.
2. Partial-thickness holes -Without treatment, about 70 percent of Stage II macular holes will progress.
3. Full-thickness holes
The size and location of the hole will indicate how it will affect someones vision.
Sometimes holes will close on their own and no surgery is needed.
But, surgery is necessary in many cases to help improve vision. In this surgical procedure--called a vitrectomy--the vitreous gel is removed to prevent it from pulling on the retina and replaced with a bubble containing a mixture of air and gas. The bubble acts as an internal, temporary bandage that holds the edge of the macular hole in place as it heals. Surgery is performed under local anesthesia and often on an out-patient basis.

Following surgery, patients must remain in a face-down position, normally for a day or two but sometimes for as long as two-to-three weeks. This position allows the bubble to press against the macula and be gradually reabsorbed by the eye, sealing the hole. As the bubble is reabsorbed, the vitreous cavity refills with natural eye fluids.

Maintaining a face-down position is crucial to the success of the surgery. Because this position can be difficult for many people, it is important to discuss this with your doctor before surgery.

I think you will have to wait to see an ophthalmologist before you can know for sure if this is what you have and the progression of it.

http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/macularhol...