{"id":20072,"date":"2021-12-05T21:05:28","date_gmt":"2021-12-05T21:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=20072"},"modified":"2021-12-13T11:53:52","modified_gmt":"2021-12-13T11:53:52","slug":"how-is-macular-edema-treated","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-conditions\/guide-to-retinal-diseases\/how-is-macular-edema-treated\/","title":{"rendered":"How Is Macular Edema Treated?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Macular edema is a leading cause of vision loss, but if detected early, can be successfully treated.<\/h2>\n

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

The macula is the central portion of the retina, responsible for central vision and vision for fine details.<\/p>\n

When retinal damage occurs from diabetes or other eye conditions, the macula can become swollen from a build-up of fluid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The macula is a critical part of the eye, and good macula health is essential for clear vision. Controlling your blood sugar levels and blood pressure is the first step to protecting your eyes and preserving your vision.<\/p>\n

Treatments for macular edema<\/b><\/h2>\n

In order to treat macular edema at its core, your eye doctor will discuss one of the following treatments:<\/p>\n

1. Anti-VEGF injections<\/b><\/h3>\n

Macular swelling causes the VEGF protein in your body to produce blood vessels at a rapid rate. This results in the growth of abnormal blood vessels that are prone to breaking and leaking blood and fluid.<\/p>\n

Anti-VEGF injections<\/a> have revolutionized the treatment of macula edema, as many times vision can be significantly improved, even immediately after an injection.<\/b><\/p>\n

Anti-VEGF injections help to block the VEGF proteins from producing these abnormal blood vessels, thereby reducing fluid leakage and swelling.<\/p>\n

There are three different types of anti-VEGF medicines:<\/p>\n