Macular Edema
Diabetic retinopathy, the eye disease that develops when type 1 or
2 diabetes attacks the blood vessels in the eye, often goes undetected
until complications occur. One possible complication is macular edema,
a swelling of the macula, the light-sensitive part of the retina responsible
for central vision. The swelling is caused by a build-up of fluid leaking
from retinal blood vessels. A number of things can cause macular edema.
However, because of the link between diabetic retinopathy and damaged
blood vessels, in many cases, diabetes is a likely culprit.
Vision functions that are affected by macular edema are those associated
with central vision. Symptoms of macular edema include difficulty reading
or doing close, detailed work.
Macular edema can only be treated by first treating its underlying
cause. Because there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, the associated
macular edema may be relieved, but never fully treated. In some cases,
eye drops, cortisone injections or laser surgery can treat the leaking
fluid, but recovery from macular edema depends on the severity of its
cause.
For more information on macular edema, please contact us. Select your
state below for a consultation.
