Macular Cyst

Ask an Eye M.D. Answer Archive

Question:
I was diagnosed with a macular cyst. What causes this? 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—the process of aging within the tissues of the eye. Rarely, trauma 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 center vision. This area has the highest concentration of retinal cells for sight, and is the area we use for reading.

Your Eye M.D. is best equipped to diagnose and manage your unique situation and I urge you to consider his/her recommendations. This condition may require surgery or may resolve with drops or other forms of therapy. Only your ophthalmologist can properly differentiate, diagnose and treat these conditions.

Answered by: Ivan Schwab, MD

Categories: Eye Conditions; Eye Diseases; Eye Surgery

Have a question that hasn't been answered yet? Ask it!