Cystoid Macular Edema
What is the
macula?
The macula is
a part of the
retina, the light-sensitive
layer of tissue at the back of the eye that
is similar to film in a camera. As you read,
light is focused onto your
macula.
Within the macula, millions of
cells change the light into nerve signals that are
sent to the brain where they are converted into an
image. The macula is where we get our
central
vision. With it,
we are able to read,
drive, and perform other activities that require
fine, sharp, straight-ahead vision.
When multiple
cyst-like spaces form within the
macula and result
in swelling of the retina, a patient may be
diagnosed with cystoid macular edema or CME.
This painless
disorder is often discovered after a patient has
complained of increasingly blurry vision, especially
when reading (deterioration of central vision).
Peripheral vision is usually not affected.
The most
common reason someone might develop CME is if they
have had recent eye surgery. Other causes of CME include
diabetic retinopathy, uveitis and
retinal vascular disease. In these cases, it is
not uncommon for patients to experience swelling of
the retina.
Treatment
The treatment of
cystoid macular edema may include one or more of the
following:
•
Ocular steroid
eye drops to decrease swelling
•
injection of
ocular steroids around the eye to reduce swelling
• oral
anti-inflammatory medicines
• surgery to remove
excess fluid (vitreous) from the center of the eye
(vitrectomy)
The good news
With currently available treatments, more than half
of all patients diagnosed with CME can expect
significant improvements in their
visual acuity after
treatment. Treatment can take up to a year for full
effect.
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