What is macular edema?
Macular edema is an eye disease that causes fluid accumulation in the macula, the part of the eye responsible for providing clear and sharp vision. As this is a very sensitive and important area of the eye, when this fluid accumulation occurs, vision is lost and objects are seen in a distorted way. It can also affect only certain parts of the eye or the entire macular area. It is a pathology associated with diabetic patients, since it is one of the main visual discomforts they suffer.
Prognosis of the disease
The prognosis is very variable in each situation, and it is advisable in all cases to consult an ophthalmologist specializing in retina for an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment.
Symptoms of macular edema
The symptoms of macular edema affect the central vision, which can be seen:
- Blurred vision
- Distortion of lines
If not treated properly, the patient may have very limited central vision.
It is often associated with diabetes as a cause of macular edema.
Medical tests for macular edema
The most common clinical method for diagnosing whether or not a patient has macular edema is clinical stereoscopic examination with the biomicroscope or slit lamp. However, sometimes it is necessary to resort to complementary imaging tests:
- Optical coherence tomography
- Fluorescein angiography
What are the causes of macular edema?
There are many causes that can lead to macular edema, but it is often associated with diabetes. Also, eye surgery can increase the risk of developing macular edema due to irritation of the blood vessels that may allow fluid to leak. A macular edema that develops after cataract surgery is called cystic macular edema (CME). Other causes of macular edema include:
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Uveitis
- Blockage in the small veins of the retina
- Injury to the eye
- Side effects of certain medications
- Some eye tumors
- Certain genetic disorders, such as a form of macular dystrophy
Can it be prevented?
Good control of predisposing factors, such as diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure, among others, is essential.
Treatments for macular edema
The treatment of macular edema will depend on the cause, the degree of evolution and whether it is focal or diffuse. Following the different cases, the following treatments can be followed:
- Pharmacological treatment with eye drops, or intraocular and periocular injections, the aim of which is to seal the fluid leaks from the macula.
- Laser photocoagulation of the points of the blood vessels where the fluid leakage occurs and accumulates in the macula, altering its functionality.
- Vitrectomy surgery: this treatment is used in the most severe cases.
Which specialist treats it?
The ophthalmologist is in charge of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases that affect the eyes and the patient’s visual capacity, such as macular edema.
The eyes are the essential organ of vision and are susceptible to many abnormalities throughout life. Ophthalmology is in charge of preserving the patient’s visual capacity, through medical treatment techniques, surgery or with the help of external elements such as glasses or contact lenses.