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# Cystoid macular oedema

Fluid collects in small cysts at the centre of the [retina](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/retina/), blurring central vision. It follows cataract surgery, diabetes, vein occlusion or uveitis.

Updated Nov 12, 2026

On this page

- The basics What it is
- Who gets it
- Causes
- Risk factors
- Pathophysiology
- In ophthalmology

- Clinical Symptoms and signs
- Red flags
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnosis
- Complications
- Prognosis

- Treatment Goal of treatment
- Treatment

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## What it is

Accumulation of fluid in cyst-like spaces in the outer layers of the macula. It is a final common pathway of many diseases: inflammation after cataract surgery, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, uveitis, retinitis pigmentosa and some drugs. It blurs and distorts central vision and is usually treatable.

See it in 3D

- [Macula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/macula/)
- [Retina](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/retina/)

## Who gets it

Common; post-cataract oedema typically appears a few weeks after surgery.

## Causes

- After cataract or other intraocular surgery (Irvine-Gass syndrome)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Retinal vein occlusion
- Uveitis
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Drugs (for example some glaucoma drops after surgery, niacin, taxanes)

## Risk factors

- Complicated cataract surgery
- Diabetes
- Uveitis
- Epiretinal membrane

## Pathophysiology

Inflammatory mediators or ischaemia break down the blood-retinal barrier. Fluid leaks from perifoveal capillaries and collects in the outer plexiform layer, where the radial fibres create a petal-shaped pattern of cysts.

## Symptoms and signs

- Blurred central vision
- Distortion
- Reduced contrast

## Red flags

- Sudden visual loss after cataract surgery with pain or redness (endophthalmitis)
- Oedema with retinal new vessels

## Diagnosis

**Clinical**
Loss of the foveal reflex and honeycomb cysts at the [macula](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/macula/) on slit lamp examination.

**Tests**
Search for the cause: glucose, blood pressure, uveitis workup when appropriate.

**Imaging**
OCT shows the cysts and measures thickness; fluorescein angiography shows a petaloid leak.

## Differential diagnosis

- Macular hole
- Central serous chorioretinopathy
- Neovascular macular degeneration
- Epiretinal membrane

## Goal of treatment

Treat the cause and reduce the fluid to restore central vision.

## Treatment

**Medical**
Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid drops for post-operative oedema.

**Medical**
Intravitreal corticosteroids or anti-VEGF injections for diabetic, vascular or uveitic oedema.

**Medical**
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for oedema in retinitis pigmentosa.

## Complications

- Permanent central visual loss in chronic oedema
- Lamellar macular hole

## Prognosis

Most post-operative cases resolve; chronic oedema from other causes may leave reduced vision.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What is Irvine-Gass syndrome?

Cystoid macular oedema after cataract surgery.

## Which imaging test confirms cystoid macular oedema?

Optical coherence tomography (OCT).

## What is the first-line treatment after cataract surgery?

Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid drops.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/conditions/cystoid-macular-oedema/)

## In ophthalmology

- [After cataract surgery: the complications the general doctor sees](https://durgical.com/en/ophthalmology/after-cataract-surgery-the-complications-the-general-doctor-sees/)

## Connections

## Related conditions 5

- [Cataract](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cataract/)
- [Diabetic retinopathy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/)
- [Uveitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/uveitis/)
- [Central retinal vein occlusion](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/central-retinal-vein-occlusion/)
- [Retinitis pigmentosa](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/retinitis-pigmentosa/)

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

Sources: [Macular Edema](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576396/) (StatPearls Publishing (NCBI Bookshelf), 2024); [Cystoid Macular Edema](https://eyewiki.org/Cystoid_Macular_Edema) (EyeWiki, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cystoid-macular-oedema/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cystoid-macular-oedema/