maculära

Maculära refers to the macula, the central region of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed central vision. This area enables tasks such as reading, recognizing faces, and discerning fine color and detail. The macula surrounds the fovea centralis, a small pit in the center of the retina that contains a very high density of cone photoreceptors and provides the highest visual acuity.

Anatomically, the macula spans roughly 5 to 6 millimeters in diameter. It contains macular pigment, a yellowish filter consisting mainly of lutein and zeaxanthin, which helps protect the retina from blue light. The macula receives blood supply primarily from the choroid (through the choriocapillaris) and from retinal vessels, ensuring nourishment to the outer and inner retinal layers involved in high-acuity vision.

Clinically, the macula is a common focus of eye diseases. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of central vision loss in older adults and exists in dry (atrophic) and wet (neovascular) forms. Other macular conditions include diabetic macular edema, macular holes, and epiretinal membranes, all of which can reduce central vision and distort perception. Diagnosis commonly employs optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus photography, and fluorescein angiography, with patients sometimes monitoring changes using an Amsler grid.

Treatment and management depend on the condition. Anti-VEGF injections are standard for neovascular AMD and some forms of macular edema; corticosteroids, laser therapy, or surgical approaches may be used in other cases, such as macular holes. Risk factors for macular disease include age, smoking, genetics, hypertension, and metabolic conditions. Early detection and regular eye examinations improve outcomes for macular-related vision loss.