Makulaödémás

Makulaödémás refers to a condition involving macular edema, which is the swelling of the macula. The macula is a small, specialized area in the retina responsible for sharp, central vision, crucial for reading, driving, and recognizing faces. When fluid and protein leak from blood vessels in the retina, they accumulate in the macula, causing it to swell and thicken. This swelling distorts the macula's function.

Several underlying conditions can lead to macular edema. Diabetes is a very common cause, known as diabetic macular edema. Other causes include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusion, uveitis (inflammation inside the eye), and complications following eye surgery like cataract surgery. Inherited retinal diseases can also contribute.

Symptoms of macular edema typically include blurred or wavy central vision, difficulty seeing fine details, and altered color perception. In some cases, vision loss can be rapid, while in others, it progresses gradually. Early detection and treatment are vital to preserve vision.

Diagnosis usually involves a comprehensive eye examination, including visual acuity tests and imaging techniques like optical coherence tomography (OCT), which provides detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, and fluorescein angiography, which visualizes blood vessel leakage.

Treatment options vary depending on the cause and severity of the macular edema. They may include intraocular injections of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications, corticosteroids, laser photocoagulation to seal leaking blood vessels, or management of the underlying condition, such as controlling diabetes. The goal of treatment is to reduce swelling, stop fluid leakage, and improve or stabilize vision.