What is Cystoid Macular Emedema?
The condition Cystoid Macular Edema (CME), is characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the macula. This central part of the retina is responsible for clear and sharp central vision. The macula is located behind each eye. It plays an important role in reading, driving and recognising people.
CME is caused by small cysts that form in the retinal layers. This leads to swelling, distortion and blurring of central vision. It can be difficult to see fine details and complete tasks that need sharp vision.
What causes Cystoid macular Edema?
The cause of Cystoid Macular Edema can be many. Here are some factors that can lead to the development of CME:
CME can cause eye diseases and conditions, including:
Diabetic Retinopathy (CME): CME can develop as a result of long-term diabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels cause damage to retinal blood vessel walls, resulting in fluid leakage and macular swelling. CME can be caused by AMD when abnormal growth of blood vessels or leakage occurs.
Uveitis - Uveitis is inflammation of the middle layer, the uvea. CME can be caused by inflammation, which disrupts the blood-retinal barrier and encourages fluid accumulation in maculae.
Retinal Vein Occlusion: When retinal vessels become blocked or occluded the pressure within their blood vessels rises, causing fluid to leak out, resulting in macular Edema.
Eye Surgery. Certain eye surgeries, such as cataract surgery and retinal detachment procedures, may cause CME to develop. This complication occurs rarely.
Medication. Certain medications, especially corticosteroids can increase the risk of CME. Corticosteroids can disrupt the fluid regulation of the eye and cause fluid accumulation. This risk can be increased by systemic administration, local administration (eye drops, injections, implants) and even local administration.
Inflammatory conditions. Diseases and conditions such as systemic lupus, sarcoidosis or SLE can cause inflammation in different parts of the body including the retina. This inflammation can disrupt fluid dynamics, which contributes to CME.
Other Factors - In some cases, the exact cause may not be obvious or could involve multiple contributors. Eye trauma, hereditary diseases and certain systemic illnesses may all have a role to play.
It is important to note that CME may have different causes for each individual. To diagnose and treat CME, an ophthalmologist or eye care provider must perform a comprehensive examination.
What are the Symptoms?
The severity of CME (cystoid Macular Edema) and the circumstances surrounding your case will determine how you experience symptoms. However, there are some common side effects that may occur.
Blurred Central Vision: CME can result in a decreased clarity and sharpness to the central vision. This makes objects appear blurrier. Fine details are harder to see. Reading, recognizing faces, or seeing small items becomes difficult. It may also make reading difficult.This condition is often associated with macular swelling.
Color perception can be reduced. CME may have an adverse effect on the color perception of colors, making them appear duller or washed-out. Some people may find it difficult to distinguish between colors.
Reduced contrast-sensitivity: Contrast-sensitivity is our ability to differentiate objects with different brightness levels. CME can reduce our ability to detect subtle differences in shading and contrast.
Central Scotoma : In severe cases of CME, a central blind spot or scotoma can develop in the central vision field. This means that there is no or reduced vision in this region in the middle of the visual field.
CME affects the central vision, but peripheral vision (side vision) is usually relatively unaffected. CME patients may have good peripheral vision, but struggle to perform tasks that require sharp central vision.
You should consult an eye doctor or ophthalmologist immediately if you suspect CME, or if you are experiencing vision changes. This will allow for a thorough eye examination and an accurate diagnosis. They can assess symptoms, perform tests like optical coherence Tomography (OCT) and recommend appropriate treatment options.
