Macular edema refers to fluid accumulation in the macula, but what exactly is the macula? It’s the part of the retina that’s sensitive to light and lets us see fine details and movement. This condition is also known as cystoid macular edema, or CME.
When fluid builds up in the macula, it can cause swelling and thickening, distorting or blurring vision.
There are several causes linked to the development of macular edema:
- Eye surgery: certain eye procedures, such as cataract surgery, can carry a risk of developing macular edema.
- Age-related macular degeneration: a condition that clouds central vision due to the aging of the macula.
- Retinal vein occlusion: an eye condition in which the retina is damaged by a clot blocking its main vein.
- Diabetic retinopathy: a complication caused by damage to the retina’s blood vessels from poorly controlled blood sugar levels.
- Uveitis or ocular inflammation: uveitis refers to inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, known as the uvea.
Other situations can also lead to macular edema, including eye injuries, the use of certain medications, and tumors, among others.
Symptoms of Macular Edema
Someone developing macular edema typically experiences distorted or blurry vision and may have difficulty seeing fine details or reading.
In some cases, colors may appear dulled or washed out, perceived as less vivid than usual. A person may also notice a dark area or gray spot in the center of their visual field.
If one or more of these symptoms are present, it’s recommended to see an ophthalmologist for the appropriate tests and an accurate diagnosis. These tests may include a vision exam to evaluate visual acuity and overall eye health, optical coherence tomography, a non-invasive test that provides images of the retinal layers, and fluorescein angiography, which photographs the retina’s blood vessels.
Depending on specific characteristics, macular edema can be classified into different grades:
- Mild: slight thickening of the macula and a small amount of hard exudates.
- Moderate: moderate thickening and more hard exudates; vision begins to be affected at this stage.
- Severe: significant thickening of the retina in the macula, a large amount of hard exudates, and the presence of fluid; vision is significantly impaired.
What Is Diabetic Macular Edema?
Among the various causes of macular edema, diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common, leading to diabetic macular edema.
Diabetic macular edema occurs when someone living with poorly controlled diabetes begins to develop damage in the retina’s blood vessels, which can result in fluid or protein leaking into the macula, causing it to thicken.
When it comes to diabetic macular edema, poor diabetes control is a major risk factor, but so is high blood pressure, diabetic nephropathy, and having lived with diabetes for many years, the longer a person has had the condition, the greater the risk of developing diabetic macular edema.
Can Macular Edema Be Cured?
Since macular edema is often a consequence of an underlying condition, the best treatment approach is to address that underlying cause. Depending on the situation, this can be supported by laser treatment in areas where fluid is leaking, injections of medication to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, steroids when the edema is caused by inflammation, or eye drops with different therapeutic functions.
Vitrectomy surgery is also an option when vitreous traction on the macula causes macular edema.
The right treatment choice depends on the specific characteristics of each case, based on what the ophthalmologist has detected.
Are Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Edema the Same Thing?
A common question is whether diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema are the same condition. While the two are related, and it’s common for a person to have both, they are not the same thing.
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of poorly controlled diabetes in which the retina’s blood vessels are damaged; diabetic macular edema then becomes a complication of diabetic retinopathy, in which fluid accumulates in the macula.
Because of this, someone living with poorly controlled diabetes may develop one or both conditions.
Regardless of whether someone has diabetes, if they notice distorted vision, difficulty reading, or colors starting to look different, it’s important to see an ophthalmologist for proper care.
At the Conde de Valenciana ABC Ophthalmology Institute, part of ABC Medical Center, we can provide you with specialized care and help you get checked early for macular edema. Contact us!
