{"id":20069,"date":"2021-12-05T20:45:49","date_gmt":"2021-12-05T20:45:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20069"},"modified":"2021-12-13T12:29:20","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T12:29:20","slug":"what-is-macular-edema","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-retinal-diseases\/what-is-macular-edema\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Macular Edema?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you noticed any sudden changes in your vision? You may have macular edema.\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

What is macular edema?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Macular edema is the number one cause of vision loss, occurring most often in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n

The macula is a critical part of the eye, and good macular health is essential for clear vision.<\/b><\/p>\n

The macula is the central portion of the retina, responsible for central vision and vision for fine details. When retinal damage occurs from diabetes or other eye conditions, the macula can become swollen from a build up of fluid.<\/p>\n

This swelling of the macula causes blurry vision, and often results in vision loss and permanent blindness if not treated early on.<\/b><\/p>\n

Symptoms of macular edema<\/b><\/h2>\n

The symptoms of macular edema range from mild blurry vision to severe vision loss, and can affect one or both eyes. If only one eye is affected, blurred vision may not be apparent until the condition advances to a later stage.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the severity of each symptom can vary and will depend on a sudden onset versus a gradual progression of the condition.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms of macular edema include:<\/p>\n