How does diabetes cause macular edema?
High blood sugar weakens the blood vessels in your eyes. That can make them leak or grow out of control in your retina, the light-sensitive area at the back of your eye. This is called diabetic retinopathy. When fluid seeps into your retina, it can cause diabetic macular edema.
What is macular diabetic edema?
Sometimes, tiny bulges (microaneurysms) protrude from the vessel walls, leaking or oozing fluid and blood into the retina. This fluid can cause swelling (edema) in the central part of the retina (macula). This is a serious eye complication called diabetic macular edema that can cause vision problems or blindness.
Is macular edema related to diabetes?
The leaking fluid also causes swelling in the macula, the place in the center of the retina that gives you sharp, clear vision. “Edema” is a medical word for swelling from extra fluid. So DME is a fluid buildup that makes your macula swollen because of diabetes. Diabetes is the main cause of macular edema.
What is the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy?
DME is characterized by swelling or thickening of the macula due to sub- and intra-retinal accumulation of fluid in the macula triggered by the breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) [1]. DME can occur at any stage of DR and cause distortion of visual images and a decrease in visual acuity.
What is diabetic macular?
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a complication of diabetes. People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can develop DME. DME occurs when excess fluid starts to build up in the macula of the eye. The macula allows us to focus and see fine details.
How do you control diabetic macular edema?
CURRENT TREATMENTS OPTIONS FOR DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA
- Laser photocoagulation. As noted above, laser photocoagulation had been the mainstay of treatment for DME for almost for the past 25 years, since the publication of photocoagulation results from the ETDRS.
- Corticosteroids.
- Anti-VEGF therapy.
How is diabetic macular edema diagnosed?
Diagnosis of Diabetic Macular Edema The best way to detect diabetic macular edema is by complete eye examination including direct examination after your pupils have been dilated. Dilated pupils provide your doctor with a direct view of the entire retina and associated structures.
How does diabetic retinopathy affect vision?
The abnormal blood vessels associated with diabetic retinopathy stimulate the growth of scar tissue, which can pull the retina away from the back of the eye. This can cause spots floating in your vision, flashes of light or severe vision loss.
How is diabetic macular edema treated?
There is no cure for diabetic macular edema, but treatment can help slow progression of the condition and prevent blindness. People with diabetes should get a dilated eye exam every year to check for vision complications, according to the CDC.
How do you reverse macular edema?
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are the main treatment for macular edema from inflammatory diseases. Corticosteroids may be administered as oral pills or injections into the eye. Macular edema from chronic conditions is treated with retinal implants which slowly release the medication.
What happens if diabetic macular edema goes untreated?
If untreated, chronic macular edema can lead to irreversible damage of the macula and permanent vision loss. Macular edema is typically caused by increased leakage from damaged retinal blood vessels or growth of abnormal blood vessels in the deep retina.
How do doctors diagnose diabetic macular edema?
How Do Doctors Diagnose Diabetic Macular Edema? Diabetic macular edema can be diagnosed through the same comprehensive eye examination that detected your diabetic retinopathy. What you can expect:…
What are the symptoms of diabetic macular edema?
blurred or wavy central vision
What are the treatments for diabetic macular edema?
Approach Considerations. As with all complications of diabetes,successful management of macular edema requires good control of the diabetes itself.