![]() Based on the appearance of fluid on these tests, macular edema may be widespread, localized, or be made up of many small blisters surrounding the center of the macula-a common form called cystoid macular edema.įigure 2. Are associated with the growth of abnormal blood vessels (wet age-related macular degeneration)įluorescein angiography (Figure 1) and optical coherence tomography (OCT Figure 2) are 2 common tests to evaluate macular edema.Increase inflammation in the eye (surgery, inflammatory diseases).Cause more fluid to leak from blood vessels (diabetes and high blood pressure).Factors likely to cause macular edema include conditions that: In the retina, blisters of fluid form and swell the retina-this is macular edema. If more rain falls on the lawn than it can handle, you get puddles of water. Macular edema occurs when the retina’s ability to absorb fluid is overwhelmed by the fluid leaking into it. Surgical causes (following eye surgery).Inflammatory conditions (sarcoidosis, uveitis).Traction on the macula (macular hole, macular pucker, and vitreomacular traction). ![]() Hereditary diseases (retinitis pigmentosa).Blood vessel diseases (vein occlusion/blockage).Macular edema is not a disease, but is the result of one.Īs with other conditions where abnormal fluid accumulates (leg swelling, pulmonary edema, hives, and allergy), macular edema can be caused by many factors including New vessels (neovascularization or NV) do not have normal “tight junctions” and almost always result in abnormal leakage of fluid (serum from the bloodstream) into the retina. Macular edema is typically caused by increased leakage from damaged retinal blood vessels or growth of abnormal blood vessels in the deep retina. If untreated, chronic macular edema can lead to irreversible damage of the macula and permanent vision loss. The more widespread, thicker, and severe the swelling becomes, the more likely one will notice visual symptoms of blur, distortion, and difficulty reading. Like a droplet of water on your computer screen, the swollen retina distorts images-making it more difficult to see clearly. From the side, it looks like the snake that ate too much. Macular edema refers to an abnormal blister of fluid in the layers of the macula. When macular disease is present, distorted vision (metamorphopsia), blank spots (scotoma), and blurred vision are common symptoms.ĭownload Fact Sheet download large print fact sheet Spanish Translation CHINESE TRANSLATION Macular edema, degeneration, hole, pucker, drusen (small yellowish deposits), scar, fibrosis, hemorrhage, and vitreomacular traction are common conditions that involve the macula. The small, central area of the retina is worth the most-the bullseye of sight. It’s packed with more photoreceptors (light-sensitive cells) than any TV or monitor. The macula is the part of the retina that helps us see fine detail, faraway objects, and color. There, the message is decoded and directs us to take action- “that’s a fine looking piece of pie!” The many layers of the retina work together to convert light focused on the retina into an exquisitely detailed message that travels to the visual cortex in the brain. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of cells that lines the inside of the eye. ![]() Even as the word retina has become commonplace, the macula and its diseases are often misunderstood. ![]()
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