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Macular edema is swelling caused by fluid collecting in or around the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. It can develop for several reasons, including diabetes, retinal blood-vessel problems, inflammation inside the eye, and changes following eye surgery.
Since treatment depends on what is causing the swelling, identifying the underlying condition is an important part of evaluating macular edema.
At MERSI, our retina and ocular-inflammation specialists evaluate macular swelling and complex retinal conditions at our Waltham, Massachusetts practice.
Macular edema affects the central portion of the retina, so symptoms typically involve central rather than peripheral vision.
Symptoms may include:
Blurred or hazy central vision
Straight lines that appear wavy, bent, or distorted
Difficulty reading or recognizing faces
Reduced ability to see fine details
Colors that appear less vivid
A gray, dark, or missing area in the center of vision
A noticeable change in the clarity of vision in one eye
These symptoms are not specific to macular edema. Macular degeneration, cataracts, and other retinal or eye conditions can cause similar vision changes. An eye examination can help determine what is causing them.
Macular edema develops when fluid accumulates in or around the macula. Several different eye and systemic conditions can lead to this swelling.
Diabetes can damage small blood vessels in the retina, allowing them to leak fluid. When this causes swelling in the macula, it is called diabetic macular edema (DME).
DME is one type of macular edema rather than another name for all macular edema.
Learn more about diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy.
A blockage in one of the veins that carries blood away from the retina can lead to leakage and swelling within the retina, including the macula. Treatment depends on the type of retinal vein occlusion and its effects on the eye.
Inflammation inside the eye can cause or contribute to macular edema. In these cases, controlling the underlying inflammation may be an important part of treatment.
Learn more about uveitis and ocular inflammatory disease.
Macular edema can sometimes develop following eye surgery. Since vision changes after a procedure can have different causes, patients experiencing new or worsening symptoms should contact their treating eye-care team.
Other retinal and structural conditions can also contribute to macular swelling. Determining the cause helps guide the appropriate treatment.
No. Although both conditions involve the macula, macular edema and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are different conditions.
Macular edema describes swelling caused by fluid in or around the macula. AMD is an age-related disease affecting the macula. Certain retinal diseases, including some forms of AMD, may involve abnormal fluid, but the terms are not interchangeable.
Evaluation generally begins with a medical and eye history and a dilated retinal examination. Additional retinal imaging may be recommended depending on the findings.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides detailed cross-sectional images of the retina and can help identify and monitor retinal thickening or fluid.
Other testing may include retinal photography or fluorescein angiography to evaluate retinal circulation and areas of leakage when appropriate.
Not every patient needs every test. The evaluation is tailored to the suspected cause and the individual patient’s eye condition.
There is no single treatment for all macular edema. Treatment is selected according to the condition causing the swelling, how the retina is affected, and other individual factors.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:
Monitoring with retinal examinations and imaging
Medication delivered into the eye for certain retinal conditions
Anti-inflammatory treatment when inflammation is contributing to the swelling
Laser treatment for selected retinal conditions
Vitreoretinal surgery when a structural or other retinal condition requires surgical treatment
For example, anti-VEGF medications may be considered for macular edema associated with certain retinal vascular conditions, while corticosteroid or other anti-inflammatory treatment may be appropriate when inflammation is contributing to the swelling.
The appropriate treatment cannot be determined from symptoms alone. Identifying the cause of macular edema is an important part of developing a treatment plan.
Macular edema can improve with treatment, but the outlook varies according to its cause, severity, duration, the health of the retina, and how the condition responds to treatment.
Some patients require ongoing monitoring or additional treatment because swelling can persist or return. Improvement in the swelling also does not necessarily mean that vision will return completely to its previous level.
New blurred or distorted central vision should be evaluated, particularly when the change is persistent or worsening.
Some vision symptoms can indicate a more urgent retinal or eye problem. Seek prompt professional evaluation for symptoms such as:
Sudden or substantial vision loss
A curtain, veil, or shadow in your vision
A rapid increase in new floaters
Flashes of light, particularly when accompanied by new floaters or missing vision
Severe eye pain
A rapid or significant change in vision following an eye procedure or injury
These symptoms can occur with conditions other than macular edema and may require more immediate treatment.
Due to macular edema having several potential different causes, patients may benefit from evaluation by a specialist experienced in retinal disease, ocular inflammation, or both.
At MERSI in Waltham, Massachusetts, patients with macular edema and other complex retinal conditions can be evaluated using a detailed eye examination and retinal imaging selected according to their individual findings.
MERSI’s physicians include specialists whose expertise spans vitreoretinal disease and ocular inflammatory disease, allowing evaluation to focus not only on the presence of retinal fluid but also on why the swelling has developed.
Peter Y. Chang, MD, FACS, Partner & Co-President specializes in ocular inflammatory diseases, vitreoretinal surgery, and cataract.
Carl S. Wilkins, MD specializes in ocular inflammatory diseases, vitreoretinal surgery, and cataract.
Stephen D. Anesi, MD, FACS, Partner & Co-President specializes in ocular inflammatory diseases, cornea, glaucoma, cataract, and medical retina.
MERSI serves patients from Greater Boston, throughout Massachusetts and New England, as well as patients referred for specialized evaluation of complex eye conditions.
Concerned about changes in your central vision or looking for specialized evaluation of macular edema?
If you are experiencing sudden or severe vision changes, seek immediate professional medical guidance rather than waiting for a routine online appointment request.
No. Macular edema is swelling caused by fluid in or around the macula. Macular degeneration is a separate disease affecting the macula, although some retinal diseases can also involve abnormal fluid.
No. Diabetes is an important cause of macular edema, but macular swelling can also occur with retinal vein occlusion, uveitis and other inflammatory conditions, after eye surgery, and with other retinal disorders.
Yes. Inflammation inside the eye can contribute to macular swelling. When inflammation is involved, treatment may need to address both the macular edema and the underlying inflammatory condition.
Diagnosis generally includes a dilated retinal examination. OCT is commonly used to identify and monitor fluid or thickening within the macula. Additional retinal imaging may be recommended depending on the suspected cause.
It can. Whether macular edema returns depends in part on the underlying condition and how it responds to treatment. Some patients need continued monitoring or repeated treatment.
Medically reviewed by:
Stephen D. Anesi, MD, FACS, Partner & Co-President
Specializes in: Ocular inflammatory diseases, cornea, glaucoma (medical, surgical & MIGS), cataract, and medical retina
Peter Y. Chang, MD, FACS, Partner & Co-President
Specializes in: Ocular inflammatory diseases, vitreoretinal surgery, and cataract
Carl S. Wilkins, MD
Specializes in: Ocular inflammatory diseases, vitreoretinal surgery, and cataract
Reviewed: September 29, 2026