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 the occurrence of MME in neuro-ophthalmic diseases may be related to retrograde transsynaptic degeneration and vitreomacular traction.A deeper understanding of the clinical characteristics and pathophysiological mechanisms of MME may provide a new perspective and scientific basis for the clinical diagnosis, disease monitoring and prognosis evaluation of various neuro-ophthalmic diseases.
