Eventually, nearly all patients with diabetes will develop some form of retinopathy. Coordinated management with the patient's primary care physician can decrease the risk of visual loss by 90%.

Cystoid macular edema (CME) is most commonly seen after cataract surgery. It may occur with vascular disease, retinal dystrophy, uveitis, and usage of certain medications. CME arises from the accumulation of fluid within the retina when there is disruption of the normal blood-retinal barrier and abnormal permeability of the perifoveal retinal capillaries.

Retinal vein occlusions refer to conditions in which there is an obstruction of blood flow out of the retina. This outflow obstruction can either affect the central retinal vein, causing central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), or one of the branch retinal veins, resulting in branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Visually significant complications can result including macular edema, retinal ischemia, and intraocular neovascularization. The prompt recognition and proper management of these conditions is important in limiting vision loss especially as newer treatment options become available.

This course focuses on the anatomy and pathology of the macula and the histopathology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It documents the diagnostic techniques and treatment options available for wet and dry AMD, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, and retinal angiomatous proliferation. A broader and more general overview of the condition may be obtained via the Academy's introductory AMD course.