Abstract:  Macular holes are one of main reasons for visual loss and primarily occur in eyes with high myopia and otherwise “healthy” eyes of aging people. In the latter situation, it has been recognized as “idiopathic senile macular hole”. In recent years, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) has revealed the relationship of development of macular hole with perifoveal posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). It can be reasonably convinced that vitreous liquefaction and incomplete PVD on the maculae is the primary cause in pathogenesis of macular hole. It is therefore suggested that these two common types of macular holes can be defined as “myopic” and “senile” macular holes, respectively. It should be recommended that routine examination with OCT applied on the corresponding eyes may benefit to prevent and treat macular hole. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2013, 22: 217-219)
　　

Key words:  macular hole, vitreous liquefaction, posterior vitreous detachment, optical coherence tomography (OCT)