After macular cleft surgery, patients should remain in the prone or head-down position as prescribed by their doctor. When a patient has had surgery for a macular tear, he or she usually needs to sleep on his or her stomach because the eye is filled with gas or silicone oil. The prone or head-down position allows the filler to press against the retina and promotes the healing of the macular tear, and the specific position should be consulted with the doctor. Patients need to overcome the discomfort associated with the lying down process in order to effectively recover from the procedure, which usually takes about two to four weeks depending on what is injected. The formation of a macular tear is usually associated with trauma, laser or advanced age or certain diseases. Because the macula is located right in the center of the retina, the most visually acute part of the eye, when once a laceration occurs, the patient can cause severe vision loss. It is recommended that post-surgical patients follow the doctor’s instructions, have regular checkups, and seek prompt medical attention when discomfort occurs.