Cystoid macular edema without macular thickening: a retrospective optical coherence tomographic study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Imaging
• Macular Diseases

Background:

• Investigating cystoid macular edema (CME) in eyes with normal foveal thickness and contour using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Retrospective observational case series analyzing 37 eyes of 32 patients.
• Describing the appearance, prevalence, and risk factors of CME in this specific OCT presentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize cystoid macular edema (CME) presenting with normal foveal thickness and contour on optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• To determine the prevalence and associated diagnoses of this specific OCT finding.
• To differentiate this presentation from typical CME associated with retinal thickening.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of macular disease patients undergoing OCT evaluation (January-March 2007).
• Evaluation of OCT scans for intraretinal cystic fluid or CME with normal retinal thickness and foveal contour.
• Analysis of OCT mapping software for retinal thickness and contour, best-corrected visual acuity.

Main Results:

• 37 eyes (32 patients) exhibited CME with normal foveal thickness and contour on OCT.
• Overall prevalence of this entity was 4.9% in the studied population.
• Age-related macular degeneration (53.1%) and diabetic retinopathy were common associated diagnoses; acute post-cataract CME was absent.

Conclusions:

• Cystoid macular edema with normal foveal thickness and contour on OCT is an under-described entity.
• This presentation is not specific to one diagnosis and can occur with various conditions, notably AMD and diabetic retinopathy.
• The absence of post-cataract CME suggests specific etiologies may be involved in this cohort.