What is the macula?
The macula is a tiny area in the centre of your retina at the back of your eye. The highly specialised cells of the macula work best in bright light levels and allow you to see the detail and colour of things you look at directly, such as reading and watching television. This is known as your central vision. If you have a macular hole, your central vision in that eye will be affected, making it more difficult for this eye to see detail and colour.
Away from the central macula is the peripheral retina. This part of your retina provides you with peripheral vision, which is the sight you have ‘out of the corner of your eye’ when looking straight ahead. Your peripheral vision gives you an awareness of your surroundings, which helps you avoid bumping into things when moving around. As a macular hole does not affect your peripheral retina, it does not affect your peripheral vision.
Please also see What is age related macular degeneration? and What is a macular hole?
