Most people who choose to undergo macular hole surgery are pleased with the result. Between 80% and 90% of macular holes can be successfully treated with an operation. Success means that the hole is closed. In visual terms, this is usually associated with an improvement in vision.

That improvement tends to be maintained. It should be remembered that an untreated hole tends to get worse. Most patients who undergo a successful macular hole operation are able to read two or three more lines on the standard vision test chart. A major benefit, in addition to improvement and stabilisation of the vision, is that the distortion tends to be much less after surgery. The other major benefit is that the eye with the hole tends to interfere or get in the way of the other eye ater a successful operation. If the first operation fails then it can be done again.