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Disease

Cystoid Macular Edema (CME)

Definition: 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.  

Signs & Symptoms:

• Blurred central vision
• Distorted vision (straight lines may appear wavy)
• Vision is tinted pink (occasionally)
• Light sensitivity (occasionally)

Diagnostic Testing: 

• Retinal examination
• Visual acuity
• Slit lamp examination
• Optical Coherence Tomography
• Fluorescein Angiogram

Treatment: Patients diagnosed with CME are usually started, or re-started, on steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye-drop medications. Some ophthalmologists also prefer to give a steroid injection adjacent to the eye or underneath the outer layers of the eye.  Patients are usually followed every few weeks until resolution. The majority of patients will recover good acuity though a small percentage may have permanently reduced vision.