Topics:• Age-Related Macular Degeneration
• Epiretinal Membrane
• Vitreomacular Traction
• Diabetic Retinopathy
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The gel inside the eye, called the vitreous, may slowly turn into liquid as the eye ages. This results in pockets of liquid forming within the vitreous cavity. This liquefaction predisposes the vitreous to pull away from the back of the eye, usually causing a posterior vitreous separation. Sometimes, parts of the vitreous stay adhered to the retina. An incomplete posterior vitreous separation at the center of the retina (the macula) may lead to tractional retinal distortion and macular edema, which may result in metamorphopsia (distorted vision) or vision loss
One major complication from diabetes is damage to the retina inside the eye. This retinal damage, or retinopathy, is caused by an over accumulation of sugar in the tiny blood vessels in and around the retina. The walls of these small blood vessels become more permeable, allowing vascular leakage. These vascular changes may damage the eye in more ways than one. Diabetic macular edema (DME) results from vascular leakage accumulating in the macular, disrupting and damaging the photoreceptors. In addition, areas of the retina that are not obtaining oxygen may develop delicate, new blood vessels that proliferate, bleed, and ultimately scar and cause traction on the retina. Without intervention, this may lead to a tractional retinal detachment and blindness.