Macular edema

Macular edema, Eng. ( cystic ) macular edema is an accumulation of extracellular fluid (edema ) in the area of the yellow spot ( macula lutea) of the human eye. The reversible change manifests itself by blurring the visual field in the zone of sharpest vision.

Formation

The water storage or under the retinal pigment epithelium caused a circumscribed swelling and vesicular fluid retention, which are visible in the reflection of the fundus. Possible causes are infections ( retinitis, uveitis ), vascular damage in diabetes mellitus in the course of diabetic retinopathy or congestion by occlusion of retinal veins. Even after surgery on the eye may cause macular edema.

Staging

A distinction is focal, the clinically significant ( visual acuity threatening ), the diffuse and the ischemic macular edema in 4 stages ..

Therapy

At present, several drugs in development, including Ruboxistaurin based on a Bisindolylmaleimides. In the context of diabetes mellitus can stop the disease a metabolic optimization. In an focal macular laser photocoagulation one another can prevent visual loss. Arterial hypertension needs to be treated; Notes to the advantage of certain groups of substances of antihypertensives not be found.