title: Microcystic macular edema in optic nerve atrophy: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microcystic macular edema can occur after optic neuropathies of various etiologies, and is easily demonstrated by OCT. We report a cohort of patients with microcystic macular edema.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with optic neuropathy and microcystic macular edema were enrolled. Demographics, visual function, retinal angiographies and OCT parameters were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen patients (23 eyes) exhibited microcystic macular edema: 10 men/9 women, aged 17-91 years. Etiologies of optic nerve atrophy were compressive (5), inflammatory (4), glaucoma (3), ischemic (3), trauma (2), degenerative (1), and hereditary (1). Median visual acuity was 4/10 (NLP-12/10). Fluorescein angiography showed no leakage. Topography of the microcystic macular edema correlated with near infrared images but with visual field defects in only 26%. OCT parameters were all abnormal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microcystic macular edema is a non-specific manifestation from an optic neuropathy of any etiology. The precise mechanism leading to microcystic macular edema remains unknown but trans-synaptic retrograde degeneration with Müller cells dysfunction is likely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Voide
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: F-X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Borruat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009896:Optic Atrophy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D055815:Young Adult