What is Macular Oedema?
Macular oedema is swelling or thickening of the eye’s macula – the part of your eye responsible for detailed central vision – and it develops when blood vessels in the retina are leaking fluid. It is characterised by the accumulation of “cyst-like” sacs of fluid in the macula.
What are the symptoms?
Macular oedema is often painless and may develop quickly or slowly, depending on the cause. Symptoms include blurred or wavy central vision and/or colours appear “washed out” or changed.
Who is at risk?
There are many causes of macular oedema.
These include:
- Diabetes/diabetic retinopathy
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Uveitis (inflammation in the eye)
- Retinal vein occlusion
- Macular telangiectasia.
- Side effects of certain medications
- Certain genetic disorders (e.g. retinitis pigmentosa)
- Eye surgery (although this is a very uncommon cause)
How is it diagnosed?
Dr Hilford will undertake a dilated examination of your eyes and tests such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and/or fluorescein angiography will be required.
What are the treatment options?
Dr Hilford will discuss treatment options as appropriate. These can range between from eye drops to focal laser treatment and/or intravitreal injections.
