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Eye diseases can affect the visual field and lead to loss of central vision. Among them, macular edema and retinal detachment are among the most worrying.
In this article, Dr. Stéphanie Zwillinger, our COP9 ophthalmic surgeon, answers the following question: what is macular edema?
Macular edema is an eye condition characterized by swelling of the macula (the central area of the retina) which is essential for good central vision.
This swelling can result from a variety of conditions, and is often associated with diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.
Macular edema, on the other hand, is a leading cause of visual impairment in people with diabetes or other retinal diseases.
This eye condition can affect both eyes, compromising the health of your eyes and your quality of life.
Regular eye monitoring can help detect these diseases early and preserve your vision.
Patients with macular edema may experience discomfort and decreased vision that can affect their quality of life, so don’t hesitate to talk to your ophthalmologist or GP if you notice these symptoms.
To be more specific, it can cause:
The accumulation of fluid in macular edema can be due to several ophthalmological factors.
For example, in diabetic retinopathy, abnormal blood vessels form and leak, causing hemorrhages and edema in the retina.
Similarly, vascular abnormalities, such as those seen in the exudative forms of AMD, can also be the cause of this phenomenon.
It can also be caused by inflammatory problems or vascular disorders.
When edema is present under the retinal pigment epithelium, it can affect the photoreceptors, particularly the cones and rods, thus compromising vision, particularly central vision.
An ophthalmological follow-up is essential to detect these pathologies at an early stage and limit their worsening.
The ophthalmologist performs a thorough ophthalmological examination to identify visual symptoms and assess the risk of detachment. Our COP9 orthoptists can also intervene to analyze the patients’ field of vision.
A fundus examination to identify retinal thickening, hemorrhages or lipid deposits.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure macular thickness and detect possible retinal detachment or fluid accumulation in the eyeball.
Fluorescein angiography to identify vascular leaks.
The visual field to measure the impact of macular edema on visual perception, particularly in the event of loss of central vision.
These tests allow for early diagnosis and rapid management to prevent the disease from worsening.
Regarding treatment, therapeutic options exist to slow the progression of the disease and to help manage the edema.
Intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF drugs (vascular endothelial growth factor) can help reduce swelling and inhibit the proliferation of new abnormal blood vessels.
Retinal detachment, when it reaches an advanced form, requires rapid surgery to prevent irreversible vision loss.
Laser treatment may also be offered to target the affected areas of the retina.
In some cases, vision rehabilitation with an orthoptist or psychomotor therapist may be beneficial to help patients adapt to their vision loss.
In addition, studies have shown that consuming omega-3 and lutein may contribute to eye health and protection against some forms of macular degeneration.
If macular edema remains untreated, it can lead to significant vision loss, particularly central vision, making rapid and effective ophthalmic care essential for people suffering from this condition.
Macular edema is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness, so don’t let it take your sight, and seek medical attention as soon as possible!
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