Retina
What is diabetic macular oedema?
Diabetic macular oedema is a build up of fluid at the macula, the centre of the retina used for reading and detail. Leaking retinal vessels allow fluid into the tissue, which thickens and works less well. Vision becomes blurred or distorted, often gradually. It is confirmed with an OCT scan and usually treated with intravitreal injections.
Why vision changes
The macula needs to be thin and dry to work properly. When fluid collects between its layers, light is no longer focused cleanly on the light sensitive cells. Straight lines can look bent, print looks washed out, and reading becomes harder even though side vision stays normal.
How it is diagnosed
Examination of the retina can suggest thickening, but optical coherence tomography is what confirms it and measures how much fluid is present. The same scan is repeated during treatment to show whether the fluid is settling, which guides how often injections are needed.
Treatment
- Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections, the usual first treatment, given as a course with review scans
- Intravitreal steroid, considered in selected eyes, for example where anti-VEGF has not been sufficient
- Focal retinal laser in some patterns of leakage
- Tightening control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, which supports every other treatment
What to expect from treatment
Treatment aims to dry the macula and protect vision. Many people see an improvement, but the degree varies and depends on how long the fluid has been present and whether the macula has already been damaged. No outcome can be guaranteed, and treatment often needs to continue over months with regular review.
When to seek urgent assessment
- A sudden marked drop in central vision
- New distortion of straight lines appearing over days
Frequently asked questions
- How many injections will I need?
- This varies. A course of several monthly injections is common at the start, then the interval is extended according to your scans. Your ophthalmologist will review the plan at each visit.
- Will my reading vision come back?
- It may improve as the fluid settles, particularly when treatment starts early. Where the macula has been swollen for a long time, some loss can be permanent.
Concerned about these symptoms?
Arrange an eye examination with our consultant ophthalmologist in Garki, Abuja.
Care at Standard Eye
Related answers
- What happens during an intravitreal injection?
- What is an OCT scan of the retina?
- What is diabetic retinopathy?
Return to all retina answers.