Biologically speaking, if 'edema' were to happen anywhere in the body, it would mean that fluid has leaked out of blood vessels and caused tissue swelling. For those who suffer from a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes, otherwise known as diabetic retinopathy, 'edema' is used.
While the retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, the macula is located at the centre part of the retina responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision.
The buildup of fluid results in the swelling of the macula, causing distorted vision.
Blurry or wavy vision is a symptom of macular edema
You will want to keep a lookout for symptoms of macular edema such as blurry or wavy vision near or in the center of your field of vision. Colors might also appear washed out or faded.
Diabetic macular edema is more likely to happen at a later stage as the diabetes worsens. Poor blood sugar control and high blood pressure can increase the risk of blindness for people with diabetic macular edema.
Treatment types for Diabetic Macular Edema
Treatment is largely based on the root cause of your macular edema. For example, diabetes or high blood pressure is first treated, then the damage in the retina is next treated.
Speak to an eye specialist for treatment options
Anti-VEGF injections
VEGF, short for vascular endothelial growth factor, is a protein that increases problems such as leaking blood vessels and swelling. Anti-VEGF drugs such as Avastin, Eylea, and Lucentis block this protein.
During the treatment session, numbing drops are first applied to the eye. A short thin needle is then used to inject medication into the fluid in the center of the eye.
Anti inflammatory treatments
Corticosteroid treatments are anti inflammatory drugs administered via eye drops, pills or injections of sustained corticosteroids into or around the eye.
For the implant option, it releases small doses of medicine slowly, so you won't need a series of shots. Your doctor places it in your eye with a special device. And it dissolves over time, so you don't need to have the implant taken out.
However, corticosteroids can increase your risk for cataracts and glaucoma, so it's important to get regular eye exams to check for signs of this problem.
Laser photocoagulation
There are two types, focal laser treatment and scatter laser treatment.
For focal lasers, leaks from abnormal blood vessels are treated with laser burns. This can stop or slow the leakage of blood and fluid in the eye.
Scatter laser treatment shrinks abnormal blood vessels. The areas aside from the macula are treated with scattered laser burns. Burns cause abnormal new blood vessels to shrink and scar.
Laser therapy can help prevent further loss of vision. These treatments are long term as you'll need several laser treatments to repair eye damage.
Your vision will be blurry for about a day after the procedure. Some loss of peripheral vision or night vision after the procedure is possible.
Vitrectomy
This procedure uses a tiny incision in your eye to remove blood from the middle of the eye and scar tissue that's tugging on the retina. It's done in a surgery center or hospital using local or general anesthesia.
Go for regular eye check ups
Some ways to prevent diabetic macular edema include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly (exercising your eyes as well) and eating lots of vegetables and fruit. You can take it a step further and visit your eye surgeon or doctor at least once a year to stay on top of your eye health.
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