What is Macular Edema?
The macula is the part of the retina that helps us see fine detail, faraway objects, and color. Macular edema happens when abnormal fluid builds up in the macula, making it swell. It is typically caused by increased leakage from damaged retinal blood vessels or growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina.
Symptoms of Macular Edema
It’s a painless condition and usually asymptomatic in the early stages. Patients may later develop
- Blurred or wavy central vision
- Colors may appear different
- May experience difficulty in reading
Causes of Macular Edema
Diabetes:
High blood sugar levels due to Diabetes causes leaky blood vessels at the macula.
Age related Macular Degeneration:
Here abnormal blood vessels leak fluid and cause macular swelling.
Retinal Vein oclussions:
When the veins in the retina become blocked,blood and fluid then leak out into the macula.
Inflammatory eye diseases:
Conditions like uveitis, where the body attacks its own tissues, can damage retinal blood vessels and cause swelling of the macula.
Medication:
Certain drugs have side effects that can lead to macular edema.
Eye Malignancies:
Both benign and malignant tumors can lead to macular edema.
Eye surgery:
It’s not common, but sometimes after glaucome, retinal or cataract surgery, you can get macular edema.