Macular Edema

Macular edema is the swelling or collection of fluid underneath the center of the retina.



This tiny portion of the retina is responsible for our central, straight ahead and detailed vision. The fluid comes from leaking retinal blood vessels. When the swelling is a result of multiple cyst-like spaces forming within the macula it is called cystoid macular edema (CME).



Causes of CME

Some of the causes are:

1) Diabetes

2) Uveitis

macular degeneration pictures 3) Blockage in the small retinal veins or arteries

4) Wet AMD - Choroidal Neovascularization

5) Cataract Surgery

6) Repair of a detached retina

7) Eye Injury

8) Side effect of medication



Symptoms of CME

Symptoms are:

1) Straight lines appear wavy

2) Blurred central vision

3) Sensitivity to light

4) Pink tint to one's vision

Peripheral vision is not usually affected.



Making a Diagnosis

A diagnosis is made based on a person's symptoms and often a dye test called a fluorescein angiogram is needed to view the macula.



Macula Edema Treatment

Macular edema treatment depends on what is causing the fluid to build up. If it is caused by:

1) Diabetes - then the diabetes needs to be treated

2) Eye Surgery - anti-inflammatory eye drops or pills

3) Eye injury - anti-inflammatory eye drops or pills

4) Wet Macular Degeneration or Choroidal Neovascularization - click here to read more: wet macular degeneration treatment

It normally can take several months for the swelling to go down and for vision to return



Macular Degeneration

According to the Archives of Ophthalmology (ISSN 0003-9950 Source / Source 2002, vol. 120, no6, pp. 731-737)

√ CME is a common finding in patients with choroidal neovascularization

√ The presence of CME and foveal thickening is associated with worse visual acuity in these patients

√ More common with choroidal neovascularization containing classic component.

√ The optical coherence tomography is a useful test to detect the presence of CME in these patients since CME may be difficult to identify on fluorescein angiogram.

Go from Macular Edema to Macular Disease

Go from Macula Edema to Macular Degeneration



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