Final answer:
Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) involves fluid accumulation in the macula, often related to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which can cause blindness. A landmark surgery in 2016 involving stem cells offered hope for reversing vision loss caused by AMD.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) is a condition where fluid accumulates in the form of cysts within the macula, the central region of the retina responsible for sharp vision. This can lead to visual distortion and a decrease in visual acuity. CME often occurs after eye surgery, in association with certain retinal diseases, or as a complication of systemic diseases. Patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is a common cause of blindness due to the death of retinal pigment epithelial cells, are at risk of developing CME. The epithelial cells are crucial for providing nutrients to the macula; without them, the macula deteriorates, leading to significant vision loss characterized by a black spot in the central vision that may grow over time.
Another condition, idiopathic juxtafoveal retinal telangiectasia, involves dilated, twisted blood vessels in the retina and can also be associated with CME. In 2016, a pioneering treatment for severe AMD involved implanting a patch of retinal pigmented epithelial cells derived from stem cells behind the retina. This surgery aimed at not only stopping the progression of vision loss but potentially reversing it, similar to how cataract surgeries restore vision.