Macular edema. General pathophysiology.

Macular edema represents a common final pathway for many disease processes. Related ocular disorders include diabetic retinopathy, vascular occlusions, post surgical situations and inherited disorders. The pathophysiology includes breakdown of the blood ocular barrier, release of various cytokines and significant inflammations. These mechanisms may be complicated by ischemic processes. The various pathogenetic mechanisms and their contribution to the edema process are described in detail in this chapter. 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel