| Overview
Cystoid macular edema (CME),
or swelling of the
macula,
typically occurs as a result of disease, injury or more rarely,
eye surgery. Fluid collects within the layers of the
macula, causing blurred, distorted central vision. CME
rarely causes a permanent loss of vision, but the recovery is
often a slow, gradual process. The majority of patients
recover in 2 to 15 months.
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In this
retinal photograph, the swelling is the yellowish spots
(arrow) in the macula.
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Signs and Symptoms
-
Blurred central vision
-
Distorted vision (straight lines
may appear wavy)
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Vision is tinted pink
-
Light sensitivity
Detection and Diagnosis
It is very difficult to detect
CME during a routine examination. A diagnosis is often
based on the patient’s symptoms and a special dye test called a
fluorescein angiogram
(FA).
Treatment
The first line of treatment for
CME is usually anti-inflammatory drops. In certain cases,
medication is injected near the back of the eye for a more
concentrated effect. Oral medications are sometimes
prescribed to reduce the swelling.
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