MACULAR OEDEMA IN RURAL CENTRAL INDIAN POPULATION ETIOLOGY, VISUAL IMPACT AND ASSOCIATIONS AND OUTCOME OF TREATMENT

Abstract

Background: Macular edema is a result of diverse etiologies, Diabetes and Hypertension being the most prominent, manifesting as Diabetic Macular edema and macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion. Present study aims to evaluate the causes, visual impact and associations of macular edema and outcome of treatment, in rural Indian Popu-lation. Methods- This prospective evaluation is based on evaluation of 100 consecutive patients of Macular edema, aged 18 years or more, presenting to a tertiary care ophthalmic facility. They were ophthalmologically evaluated and treated as per established protocols. Results- Mean age in the study population with macular edema was 55.20 ± 7.84 years; with Male to female ratio of 2.44:1. Diabetic retinopathy (seen in 58%) eyes was commonest cause of macular edema, followed by RVO ( seen in 20%) of eyes. 92% of the patients received intra -vitreal injections for the treat-ment of macular oedema. Additional laser photocoagulation for co- existent diabetic retinopathy as an additional treatment was done in 48% of the cases and 5% received surgical treatment in form of vitrectomy. Pre treatment visu al acuity was 6/18 to 6/36 in 40%, 6/60 in 19% and <6/60 in 41% of the patients. Post treatment, the acuity propor-tions improved to 31% between 6 /6 to 6/12, 45 in 6/18 to 6/36 and 13% had 6/60 and 11% had less than 6/60. Con-clusions- Systemic disorders have important causation on macular edema which causes significant effect on the visu-al status and the treatment with established protocols helps in betterment of visual status of these cases.