Retinal Conditions
Cystoid Macular Edema
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Cystoid macular edema (CME) refers to swelling of the central part of the retina (the macula). The retina is like the film in a camera, and the macula is responsible for detailed central vision. When the macula experiences swelling (edema), central vision is reduced.
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What causes CME?
CME can occur for a variety reasons. Cystoid macular edema can accompany inflammation in the eye after ocular surgery (such as cataract surgery) or it can occur after blockage of a retinal vein (branch retinal vein occlusion or central retinal vein occlusion). Primary inflammatory disorders of the eye (uveitis) can cause CME. Wet age-related macular degeneration can cause CME, although other findings such as bleeding and fluid under the retina are usually seen as well. Macular edema can occur in diabetic patients due to leaky blood vessels, in which case the term "diabetic macular edema" is used. CME can occur from mechanical traction on the macula, as in the case of an epiretinal membrane. Less common causes of CME include retinitis pigmentosa, cancer in the eye, and radiation. CME is rarely seen as a side effect of medications such as niacin (used to treat high cholesterol).
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How is CME diagnosed?
In most cases, CME is visible during detailed examination of the macula by an eye specialist. Additional testing is often indicated to determine the cause and severity of CME. Common tests include optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography (FA). OCT is a non-invasive scan of the retina which measures the degree of swelling and shows your doctor a cross section of the swollen area. Fluorescein angiography involves a small intravenous injection of dye (fluorescein) followed by a series of photographs of the retina. The images show blood flow and any leakage from blood vessels in the retina, and the patterns seen in these images are often necessary to diagnose the cause of cystoid macular edema.
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Treatment of cystoid macular edema
The treatment of CME depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, such as after cataract surgery, eye drops may be an appropriate first treatment. In many cases, swelling is reduced by an injection of medicine into the eye after the eye is numbed. Several different medicines can be injected into the eye depending on the cause of CME, and your retina specialist will discuss these options in detail if such treatment is deemed appropriate. In some diseases, such as branch retinal vein occlusion or diabetic macular edema, the treatment regimen may include one or more sessions of laser. If an epiretinal membrane is pulling on the retina and causing CME, surgery may be recommended to remove the membrane. Surgery is sometimes recommended in other conditions as well depending on the response to first line therapies.
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