Macular Edema Diagnosis

A diagnosis of macular edema, also called cystoid macular edema, means that protein and fluid collect near the macula, which is a part of the retina. Blood may leak out of blood vessel walls and accumulate near the macula, where there are a high number of nerve endings.

Symptoms

• Macular edema involves the swelling of the retina and pain. When edema occurs, vision can be distorted because of the location of the macula, which holds cones allowing a person to see colors, forms, and other items that are in a direct line of vision. A person who has macular edema may not be able to see straight lines and may have changes in color perception, as the vision is tinted. Because of the swelling, it is common to have sensitivity to light.

Cause

• Macular edema is often a result of cataract surgery and appears within a few days to a few weeks following surgery. Macular edema can also be caused by injury to the eye, macular degeneration, retinal problems, and glaucoma. If you have diabetes, macular edema can occur because of swelling and fluid leaking from surrounding blood vessels. If you have been diagnosed with macular edema and have not had a recent eye surgery, it may be helpful to be checked for diabetes. In some patients with a diagnosis of macular edema, high blood pressure, retention of fluid in the body, and chronic inflammation can contribute to a change in eye pressure and cause changes in eye fluid.

Diagnosis

• Macular edema is not often diagnosed in a routine eye exam. An ophthamologist should be able to diagnose macular edema by putting a dye called fluorescein in through the veins of the arm to study the blood vessels. A fluoroscein angiogram provides insight into the circulatory system of the eye through the use of a camera that can photograph the eye.

Treatment

• Normally, cortisone or steroid drops are helpful in treating macular edema. If the drops are not successful, medication may be injected near the retina. This concentrated amount should help symptoms dissipate more quickly. Some ophthamologists will also provide a prescription for oral anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce the amount of macular swelling.

Recovery

• Permanent vision loss from macular edema is rare, but it can occur if not caught early. Full recovery from macular edema can take two months to a year. In some cases, it may take longer to recover, especially if there is an underlying health condition.