Know the Symptoms of a Macular Edema

The macula is an area located in the center of the retina. Should this area fill with excess fluid, it may cause the macula to swell and become thicker. This fluid is generally caused by blood vessels that have become damaged, resulting in what’s called a macular edema.

Macular edemas are often caused by diabetic retinopathy, a disease which, as its name suggests, affects individuals suffering from diabetes. Macular edemas may also happen post surgery, in association macular degeneration due to age. Essentially, any disease that causes blood vessel damage in the retina can lead to a macular edema.

A common symptom of macular edema is experiencing blurry or a sort of “wavy” vision close to the center of one’s field of vision. Colors may appear as if they are faded or washed out. Should only one eye become affected, the symptoms of a macular edema may go unnoticed until the condition has reached an advanced stage.

Your eye doctor can detect and diagnose a macular edema through a visual acuity test or a thorough dilated eye exam.

This information is presented by Retina Macula Specialists of Miami, the largest private retina practice in the city. We are a nationally acclaimed retina practice dedicated to the medical and surgical management of vitreoretinal diseases. Each of our extensively trained doctors is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and ready to help treat eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment treatment, age-related macular degeneration, and more. We have three convenient locations in Miami, Coral Gables, and North Miami Beach. For contact information or to request an appointment, please visithttps://www.retinamaculamiami.com.