What is macular hole surgery on the eye?

Macular hole surgery is performed to repair large holes in the macula, a small part of the retina, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors begin the surgery by removing vitreous from the affected eye and then replace it with gas to keep pressure on the macula during healing.

The surgery has a 90 percent success rate in most cases, although patients must stay in a face-down position for up to seven days after the surgery. In some cases, a small macular hole might not need any treatment. Medium-sized macular holes are often treated with an eye injection, reports Cleveland Clinic.