Cystoid Macular Edema

Cystoid macular edema affects your eye’s central vision and can cause sight loss without treatment. Hetal Vaishnav, MD, Gary Ganiban, MD, and the Atlantic Retina Consultants team specialize in diagnosing and treating eye disorders. The team uses cutting-edge procedures to successfully treat cystoid macular edema at their offices in Melbourne, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Titusville, and Rockledge, Florida. Call Atlantic Retina Consultants to learn more, or book an appointment online today.

What is cystoid macular edema?

Cystoid macular edema is swelling in the macula, the central part of the eye’s retina. The macula is responsible for central vision and helps you see colors and details. When you have cystoid macular edema, the swollen macula develops cystlike (cystoid) patterns.

You might develop cystoid macular edema after procedures like cataract surgery and detached retina repair. Other causes include:

• Diabetes
• Uveitis (eye inflammation)
• Retinal vein occlusion (blockage in the retinal veins)
• Eye injuries
• Medication side effects

Untreated cystoid macular edema can cause poor vision and sight loss.

What symptoms does cystoid macular edema cause?

You might not notice symptoms of cystoid macular edema at first. When they do develop, vision changes are the most likely symptoms.

Your sight may become blurry or distorted, particularly in the center. Colors might look different, and objects could appear dark or distorted.

How is cystoid macular edema diagnosed?

The Atlantic Retina Consultants team completes an eye exam using one of the following tests to diagnose cystoid macular edema:

Dilated retinal exam

Your eye doctor could use a special lens to view your macula and find the cystlike swelling.

Fluorescein angiography

This procedure uses a special camera to find leaking blood vessels and accompanying cystoid macular edema.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

OCT is one of the best diagnostic tools for cystoid macular edema. This noninvasive procedure uses a special light to produce a high-resolution cross-sectional image of your eye and retina.

How is cystoid macular edema treated?

Cystoid macular edema treatments include:

eyedrops

eyedrops can contain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or more powerful steroid drugs. Other eyedrops contain medicines that reduce eye pressure.

Injections

Your eye doctor might inject medication into the vitreous, a gel filling your eye. These drugs prevent new blood vessels from developing and leaking.

Photocoagulation

Photocoagulation laser treatment uses light energy to stop blood vessels from leaking.

Vitrectomy surgery

During a vitrectomy, your surgeon removes the vitreous from inside your eyeball. They replace it with fluid or a gas bubble that lasts until your body produces enough fresh vitreous.

With most cystoid macular edema treatments, you don’t need any downtime and can return to work or school right away. But if you have a vitrectomy, you’ll need to take up to three weeks off afterward.

Call Atlantic Retina Consultants to schedule a cystoid macular edema evaluation or book an appointment online today.