To report a case of secondary macular hole formed after phacoemulsification in a vitrectomized eye which was treated with macular hole surgery.

A 53-year-old man with a history of pars plana vitrectomy developed a cataract in his left eye. Uncomplicated cataract surgery involving phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation was performed. At his routine 3-month post-operative visit, he reported metamorphopsia. Fundus examinations and optical coherence tomography revealed a cystoid macular edema and a full thickness macular hole. He underwent repair of the macular hole including internal limiting membrane peeling and gas injection. Three months later, post-operative examinations showed anatomical closure of the macular hole.

When performing cataract surgery, even in a previously vitrectomized eye, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of cystoid macular edema. A thorough pre- and post-operative assessment, including fundus examinations and optical coherence tomography must be carefully performed in order to detect a macular hole associated with cystoid macular edema. And prompt treatment is required when a macular hole is detected.