Abstract:Microcystic macular edema (MME) is a characteristic retinal imaging finding characterized by cystic changes within the inner nuclear layer (INL). It was first described in patients with optic neuritis associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Subsequent studies have shown that MME is also present in a broad spectrum of neuro-ophthalmic disorders, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), and hereditary optic neuropathies. Moreover, its presence is closely associated with disease severity and visual dysfunction. Current evidence suggests that the development of MME may be attributed to transsynaptic cell loss and vitreomacular traction. A deeper understanding of the clinical characteristics and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of MME may provide valuable insights into its role as a potential biomarker and offer important evidence for the diagnosis, disease monitoring, and prognostic assessment of various neuro-ophthalmic disorders.
