When a loved one develops an eye condition, especially something involving vision loss, it's natural to wonder about your own risk.
The team at Marano Eye Care focuses on protecting our patients’ vision for a lifetime. We have the expertise to provide comprehensive eye care, ranging from maintaining visual acuity with the latest in corrective lenses and surgery to advanced treatments for conditions such as macular cysts.
We’re also dedicated to keeping our patients informed about their eye health and taking a proactive approach to conditions that can affect vision. Here’s what we want you to know about macular cysts and genetics.
The macula is a small, round area at the center of the retina. It’s responsible for sharp central vision, which is necessary for activities such as driving, recognizing faces, and reading.
Macular cysts (also commonly referred to as macular holes) are tiny openings that develop in the macula, causing blurred vision or other visual distortions (i.e., wavy lines).
There are several causes, and they vary widely, including:
Sometimes, macular cysts can develop without a clear cause, but in many cases, they're linked to underlying health issues or structural changes in the eye.
For instance, they may show up as part of a condition called cystoid macular edema (CME), characterized by swelling in the macula due to fluid accumulation.
The short answer? Not necessarily.
Most causes of macular cysts are not directly inherited. For example, if your mom developed them after cataract surgery or due to diabetes, that doesn’t mean you’ll develop the same issue, unless you share the same risk factors.
However, if her cysts are part of a genetic retinal condition (like juvenile retinoschisis or certain types of macular dystrophies), then yes, there may be a hereditary component.
However, even then, genetics is only one part of the story. Your overall risk also depends on lifestyle, general health, and age.
Yes, and often very successfully. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, size of the cyst, and how it’s affecting your vision. Here are the most common approaches:
For smaller cysts that aren’t significantly impacting vision, your Marano Eye Care provider may recommend careful monitoring through follow-up eye exams.
For mild cases, especially after surgery, anti-inflammatory drops (such as steroid or NSAID drops) can help reduce swelling and aid in the resolution of the cysts.
If cysts are related to diabetes, vein occlusion, or inflammation, medications like anti-VEGF drugs (e.g., Avastin®, Eylea®) or steroids may be injected directly into the eye.
An eye injection may sound scary, but it's quick and usually painless.
For inflammatory causes, our team may prescribe oral medication to reduce swelling.
Rarely, if structural issues cause cysts or don’t respond to medication, we might consider surgery to close the macular hole.
The good news is that with early detection and the right treatment plan, vision often improves or at least stabilizes.
If you have a family history of eye disease, the best thing you can do is stay ahead of it:
We recommend routine eye exams for teens and adults. However, this is especially important if you’re over 40 or have health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure (hypertension).
Learn what you can about your family’s medical history. Then share the details with your Marano Eye Care provider. It helps us know what to look for.
Blurry spots, distortion, or sudden changes? Don’t wait. Get checked.
Regular checkups, healthy habits, and early intervention go a long way in protecting your vision. Schedule a visit at Marano Eye Care today.
