The positive effect on the closure of macular holes is much discussed and is attributed to the influence of thrombin and in particular the growth factors contained in the alpha‐granules of the platelets, such as platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (b‐FGF), transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epithelial growth factor (EGF) and angiopoietin 1 (ANG‐1) [12–16]. The gene discussed is EGF; the disease is macular holes.