diabetic maculopathy


maculopathy, diabetic

A pathological disorder of the macula which frequently develops in diabetic patients. It is characterized by oedema, hard exudates, microaneurysms and ischaemia in the macular area. If the oedema is severe visual acuity will be reduced, but a blue-yellow colour vision defect is usually noted before the loss of acuity. Management involves laser photocoagulation. See background diabetic retinopathy.