Term: macular edema

Pronunciation: (MA-kyoo-ler eh-DEE-muh)

Description:

A buildup of fluid in the macula, the part of the retina (the light-sensitive layers of tissue at the back of the eye) that helps people see things directly in front of them. Macular edema can cause blurry or wavy vision, colors to appear dull, and vision loss that worsens over time. Macular edema is usually caused by diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes. It can also be caused by other eye conditions, eye tumors, eye surgery, trauma to the eye, or certain medications.