What
is cystoid macular edema?
Cystoid macular edema (CME) is swelling and cyst formation in the macula. The
macula is the central part of the retina, used for sharp, central vision.
What are the symptoms of CME?
Most often, patients notice some distortion of central vision. Some patients
just notice an overall decrease in vision.
Why does CME cause distortion?
The retina is the nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye. In understanding
how the retina works, it is helpful to compare it to the film in a camera
that “sends a picture” to the brain. If there is a defect in
the film, the picture will also not be perfect.
What causes the swelling to occur?
The specific cause is unknown. CME may occur after any eye surgery, as a result
of the blockage of a retinal vein, due to inflammation (uveitis), or due
to diabetes.
DIAGNOSIS
How is this condition diagnosed?
In most patients with CME, the physician is able to suspect its presence by
the findings of the clinical exam. Often, Fluorescein Angiography is recommended.
In Fluorescein Angiography, a water soluble dye is injected into a vein in
the arm or hand. The dye quickly passes through the circulation, and serial
photographs are taken to evaluate the retinal circulation. This is helpful
to the physician in determining what mode of treatment would be most beneficial.
TREATMENT
What are the possible modes of treatment?
Mild CME may resolve spontaneously. Many patients are treated with drops and
oral medication. Some patients may be treated with steroid injections.
With treatment, will my vision return to
normal?
Each case is different, but often vision will return to the level it had been
before the development of this condition. If the CME had been present for a
longer period of time before treatment, it is possible that some permanent
damage was done to the retina and vision may never completely return. |
