Cystoid macular oedema (CMO) occurs secondary after an ophthalmic disorder, trauma or rarely after an eye operation. There is a fluid which accumulates through the retinal layers, causing blurry vision and paramorphopsia of the central visual field. CMO rarely causes permanent vision loss.
Cystoid Macular Oedema
Vision restoration is often a low, gradual process. The majority of patients restore their vision in 2-15 months either they are under treatment or not. In the above photograph, the oedema is represented as yellow spots (arrow) on the macula.
Cystoid Macular Oedema Diagnosis
Cystoid macular oedema cannot be diagnosed easily through a typical ophthalmological examination. The diagnosis is often based on the patient’s symptoms. There is also a special examination called fluoroangiography, which uses a pigment intravenously.
A non invasive, useful examination is also the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Through this examination the ophthalmologist or the optometrist can confirm the presence of the oedema.
OCT: Normal Macula
OCT: Cystoids macula Oedema (CMO)