The macula is part of the retina. The retina is the light sensitive membrane in the eye. In many ways, it is similar to the film in a camera. The macula is the part of the retina with which you are reading this text. It is at the very centre of the retina the part of the retina that provides you with the most sensitive vision. A macular hole occurs when the macula splits at its centre. It is caused by the jelly within the eye (the vitreous) pulling on the macula.

Pic : A photograph of a normal macula and optic nerve




Pic : This is a picture of a macula which is the central part of the retina. The dark red patch with an orange rim or halo at the centre of the picture is the macular hole. The yellow disc on the left hand side is the optic nerve head or blind spot.

A macular hole occurs when the macula splits at its centre. It is caused by the jelly within the eye (the vitreous) pulling on the macula.