What is vitreomacular traction?
Vitreomacular traction (VMT) is a condition in which a posterior vitreous detachment occurs but the separation is incomplete, leaving the persistently attached vitreous gel to pull on the macula causing damage. Because the macula is the area of the retina responsible for clear central vision, patients with VMT notice blurred vision, distortion, or a dark spot in their central vision. These symptoms can vary from mild to severe depending on the extent of the area involved and the amount of pulling.
How is vitreomacular traction treated?
Because VMT often gets better on its own, close observation is a reasonable option when visual symptoms are relatively mild. However, if the VMT is more severe, there are several treatment approaches including vitrectomy and pneumatic vitreolysis. The good news is that the success rate for VMT surgery is over 90%, and most patients experience improved vision once the VMT has been resolved.