Fluid can build up behind theretinadue to different conditions, includingmacular edemaandcentral serous retinopathy.
These conditions may cause symptoms like vision distortion, blind spots, and other vision changes.
Depending on the cause, fluid behind the retina can resolve on its own or it can become serious.
Illustration by Nez Riaz for Verywell Health
Either way, it needs to be monitored by a healthcare provider.
Treatment can help slow or reverse disease progression and prevent permanent vision loss.
This article lists the conditions that cause fluid behind the retina.
It also covers what symptoms to look for and the steps you oughta take for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
This is the area that you rely on for sharp central vision.
If fluid builds up underneath, the macula can get distorted as the tissue swells.
Fluid leakage can come from damaged blood vessels nearby in the retina.
This can be the result of a number of different conditions.
Macular edema can be because of any disease that damages blood vessels and can even result from eye surgery.
Diabetic macular edema, for example, can be treated by controlling the underlying cause (diabetes).
Some other treatments may include:
Macular edema can be serious if left untreated.
The damage to the macula can become irreversible and vision loss could be permanent.
Can fluid behind the eye cause blindness?
Fluid behind the retina can sometimes lead to a retinal detachment, pushing the retina away as it collects.
This is known as an exudative retinal detachment.
If the detachment is not promptly treated and is extensive enough, this can cause permanent vision loss.
Central Serous Retinopathy
Withcentral serous retinopathy, fluid can build up under the retina.
Without this working right, fluid begins to build up under the retina.
Central serous retinopathy can cause visual distortion and even a slightretinal detachmentin some cases.
Stress is a major risk factor for central serous retinopathy.
Most cases will resolve on their own in a couple of months.
This triggers the formation of new blood vessels.
These, however, are fragile and easily leak and bleed further.
This leads to more fluid behind the retina and ultimately may end up in a detachment.
You may need to have your eyes examined every few months to check that the condition isn’t progressing.
It is also important to verify your diabetes is well-managed.This can help slow the progression of the disease.
In later stages, treatment may include:
Diabetic retinopathy can be serious if it isn’t treated.
Untreated diabetic retinopathy can lead to scarring on the back of the eye and bleeding.
It can also cause complications such as diabetic macular edema and neovascular glaucoma.
The role of the choroid is to deliver nutrition and oxygen to the outside portion of the retina.
These are generally related to low intraocular pressure, usually following recent glaucoma surgery.
Symptoms of choroidal effusions can vary.
Sometimes there aren’t any symptoms, especially when the effusions are small.
Effusions that occur after surgery usually resolve on their own.
This can help to detect even minor vision changes.
It can measure retinal thickness and detect fluid beneath the retina and swelling.
With this information, your doctor can determine whether you need treatment for any fluid trapped under the retina.
These glowing structures can be captured in a black and white image.
Fluorescein Angiography
Fluorescein angiography can be used to diagnose swelling in the retina.
With this, a yellowfluoresceindye is injected into your arm.
When it reaches your eyes a few seconds later, it will cause them to shine brightly.
A special camera can then be used to take pictures of the area.
These can alert your doctor about what jot down of treatment is needed and where.
Also, it circulates deeper into the retinal layers where they can be photographed with an infrared-sensitive camera.
This is often used for choroidal angiography to complement fluorescein angiography of the retina.
This technique can be used to detect complications such as retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, and eye cancers.
An eye doctor will perform an eye exam and may use various imaging methods to assess the problem.
Treatment depends on the condition causing the fluid buildup.
Anti-inflammatory medications, surgery, laser treatment, anti-VEGF injections, or lifestyle changes may be used.
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American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is fluoroscein angiography.
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