Macular hole can be defined as the retinal defect involving the foveal region. Anatomically, it may be lamellar or full thickness. Other than senile idiopathic cases, trauma, high myopia and retinal detachment may be among the etiological factors. Tangential vitreofoveal traction was proposed as the main factor in the development of idiopathic cases. Macular hole development may occur in diabetic retinopathy, and it was reported to be a relatively rare condition in the literature. The macular holes associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy can be of different types, and they develop through different mechanisms. Herein, these pathophysiological mechanisms are described with case samples. Although a high rate of closure is achieved with vitrectomy surgery in these cases similar to idiopathic macular holes, visual success may be limited due to underlying diabetic macular changes. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2012; 42: 216-8)

Keywords: Macular hole, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, vitrectomy