What causes a macular cyst and how is it treated?
JAN 23, 2024
Question:
I was diagnosed with a macular cyst. What causes this and does it usually mean surgery?
Answer:
This is a confusing term because it is generally used to describe a hole in the retina that can mildly or severely degrade vision. A macular cyst or macular hole is usually caused by having birthdays (or aging, as the tissues of the eye can degenerate over time). Rarely, trauma or injury may play a role. There are other forms of "cysts" in the macula that can be caused by inflammation and diabetes. The macula is the area responsible for our central vision. This area has the highest concentration of light-sensitive cells and is the area we use for reading.
Your ophthalmologist is best equipped to diagnose and manage your unique situation during an in-person exam. This may require surgery or may resolve with drops or other forms of therapy. Only your ophthalmologist can properly differentiate, diagnose, and treat these conditions.
This question was originally answered on April 25, 2012.