Macular Edema
What is macular edema?
Macular edema refers to the swelling that occurs in a specific area of the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue located at the back of your eye. Individuals experiencing macular edema may encounter blurred vision; however, treatment options are available to help alleviate the swelling and avert potential vision loss.
What are the symptoms of macular edema?
The primary indicators of macular edema include blurred vision and a gradual decline in visual clarity over time.
You might also observe that:
Objects appear wavy, particularly when you gaze straight ahead.
When viewing with one eye and then the other, objects may seem to vary in size.
Colors may appear muted or less vibrant.
If macular edema affects only one eye, it might take longer for you to detect changes in your vision.
For some individuals, macular edema results in only mild blurriness, while for others, it can lead to significant central vision impairment, making daily tasks such as reading and driving challenging.
What causes macular edema?
Macular edema occurs when blood vessels leak fluid into a section of the retina known as the macula, leading to swelling and blurred vision.
Numerous conditions can lead to macular edema, with diabetic retinopathy being the most prevalent. This eye condition can result in vision loss for those with diabetes. When diabetic retinopathy leads to macular edema, it is referred to as diabetic macular edema (DME).
If you are diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, effectively managing your diabetes can help prevent or postpone vision loss. Additionally, it is crucial to undergo a dilated eye examination at least once a year.
Learn more about diabetic retinopathy
Other factors that can contribute to macular edema include:
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In a specific type of AMD known as wet (or neovascular) AMD, abnormal blood vessels in the macula leak fluid into or beneath the retina, resulting in swelling of the macula. Learn more about AMD.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP). RP is a hereditary condition, and some individuals with RP may also experience swelling in the macula. Learn more about RP.
Uveitis. Uveitis is an inflammatory condition within the eye that occurs when the immune system attacks eye tissue. It can lead to swelling in any part of the eye, including the macula. Learn more about uveitis.
Blocked veins in the retina (retinal vein occlusion). When veins in the retina become obstructed, blood cannot drain properly, leading to leakage into the macula and subsequent swelling. Learn more about central retinal vein occlusion.
Eye surgery. Some individuals may develop macular edema following surgery for another eye condition, such as cataracts. Although this swelling is often mild, it is essential to seek prompt treatment to help prevent future vision loss.
Certain medications. Some drugs, including those used to treat glaucoma, may cause macular edema as a side effect.
How will my doctor check for macular edema?
Eye care professionals can assess for macular edema during a dilated eye examination. This procedure is straightforward and painless. Your doctor will administer eye drops to dilate (enlarge) your pupil, allowing them to examine the retina.
If your doctor suspects macular edema, they may conduct additional tests to confirm the diagnosis. For instance:
Fluorescein angiogram. This examination enables the doctor to visualize images of the blood vessels in your retina. A special dye will be injected into your arm, traveling through your bloodstream to your eye. The doctor will then capture photographs as the dye circulates through the retinal blood vessels.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT). This test allows the doctor to view the back of your eye by capturing images of the retina and other eye structures using specialized equipment. This can assist your doctor in determining the extent of swelling present.
Amsler grid. This assessment helps the doctor identify any loss of central vision. You will be asked to look at a grid image, and if any part of the grid appears wavy or dark, it may indicate central vision loss.
What's the treatment for macular edema?
If you are diagnosed with macular edema, identifying the underlying cause and addressing that condition can alleviate your macular edema symptoms. For example, if you have diabetic macular edema (DME), managing your diabetes effectively can help prevent vision loss. Your doctor may also suggest one of the following treatment options:
Injections. Medications known as anti-VEGF drugs can help slow or reverse macular edema. Steroid medications may also assist in reducing swelling in the retina. Typically, these medications are injected into or very close to your eye.
Eye drops. Your doctor may recommend a type of eye drops called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). These can help prevent or treat macular edema resulting from surgery. Your doctor may suggest using these eye drops alone or in conjunction with steroid eye drops.
Laser treatment. Certain laser therapies can be employed to address macular edema when it is caused by another condition, such as diabetes or retinal vein occlusion. If injections have not been effective in treating your macular edema, your doctor may recommend laser treatment.
Eye surgery. If other treatments have proven ineffective, your doctor may suggest a surgical procedure known as vitrectomy. During this operation, your doctor will create tiny openings in the eye wall and remove most of the vitreous (the gel-like substance filling your eye) using a suction device. Additionally, your doctor may recommend surgery to implant a device that facilitates regular injections.