Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesOther CausesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Other Causes
Treatment
Excess fluid inside the eye can be due to a variety of conditions. As the excess internal fluid in the eye starts to build up, it can initially mimic symptoms ofallergiesor puffy eyes from lack of sleep. This can make it easy to overlook the signs. Eventually, the eye may swell enough that vision is affected.
The treatment for excess fluid inside the eye depends on the cause, so it’s important to determine the underlying reason first. If you feel your vision is no longer what it used to be, see an eye doctor (ophthalmologistor optometrist) for an evaluation. You may need treatment to prevent eye damage or vision loss.
This article explains several conditions that can lead to excess internal fluid in the eye, along with what may cause them, and how they may be treated.
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Common Conditions that Cause Excess Internal Eye Fluid
Conditions that are known to cause excess internal eye fluid include macular edema, diabetic macular edema, central serous retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma, among others.
Macular Edema
Macular edemaoccurs when there is an excessive amount of fluid in the macula. Themaculais located in the center of theretina—the tissue at the back of the eye that helps you see light—and is responsible for giving you clear, detailed straight-ahead vision.
The fluid builds up in the macula from damaged blood vessels in the retina. When there is excess fluid in the macula, vision is affected. A common symptom of macular edema is blurry or wavy vision on (or near) the center of your field of vision.
Is Blurred Vision in One Eye Serious?
Diabetic Macular Edema
Diabetic macular edema is due todiabetic retinopathy, which is a complication of diabetes. There are two phases of diabetic retinopathy:
Some common symptoms of diabetic macular edema are blurry or double vision as well as dark, floating, or blank spots in your vision.
Because the retina is critical to vision, diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss. Controlling yourblood sugar levelsis one way to reduce the risk of developing the eye condition or having it worsen.
Central Serous Retinopathy
Central serous retinopathy(also known as central serouschorioretinopathy) occurs when fluid builds up behind the retina, which may negatively affect vision. The fluid buildup is due to leakage from a layer of tissue under the retina (called thechoroid).
When the layer between the retina and the choroid—the retinal pigment epithelium—doesn’t function properly, fluid builds up behind the retina. This, in turn, causes the retina to detach and vision to be impaired. Symptoms can include distorted, dimmed, or blurred vision and straight lines appearing bent or crooked, among others.
Central serous retinopathy has been associated with a handful of conditions, including hypertension, coronary disease, and psychological stress.The causes of central serous retinopathy are not fully understood, but constricted blood vessels and inflammation from stress or vascular conditions may be at play.
Macular Degeneration
Glaucoma
Glaucomaoccurs when the eye’s drainage system gets clogged, resulting in fluid building up in the eye. This can also happen when the eye produces more fluid than usual and can’t drain fast enough.This fluid is between the iris and cornea in an area called the trabecula meshwork.
As fluid accumulates, it increases pressure inside the eye, which can damage the nerve fibers responsible for vision. The damaged nerves cause the optic disc to hollow and adopt a cupped shape, which doctors can see during an examination.
There are different types of glaucoma, and symptoms vary. For example, glaucoma can go unnoticed in the early stages as symptoms may not occur.Angle-closure or narrow angle glaucoma, which is when the eye’s drainage canals are blocked, causes noticeable symptoms such as severe eye pain and blurred or narrowed field of vision.
Other less common types of glaucoma include normal tension glaucoma, pseudo-exfoliation, angle recession, andpigmentary.
If excess fluid continues to accumulate in the eye, glaucoma will likely worsen and may lead to severe loss of vision or blindness.
Distorted Vision: Types, Causes, and When to Seek Help
Other Causes of Excess Internal Eye Fluid
Excessive fluid inside the eye is not without cause. But, while some of the conditions that cause internal eye fluid buildup cannot be completely prevented, they may be hindered or slowed.
It’s important to see an eye doctor if you’re having trouble with your vision or to get a diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment.
Choroidal Effusion
Choroidal effusionis the buildup of fluid between the choroid, a layer of blood vessels on top of the retina, and thesclera, the white outer covering of the eye.
Some people with choroidal effusion do not experience symptoms. Others may have decreased vision, severe eye pain, or nausea and vomiting.
More severe choroidal effusions can lead toretinal detachment, in which the retina detaches from its supportive tissue. Retinal detachment must be treated quickly to prevent blindness.
Retinal Tear
Aretinal tearhappens when the vitreous gel, which fills in the cavity at the back of the eye, pulls abnormally on the retina, causing the retina to tear. When that occurs, fluid can pass through the tear, leading to more tears or possibly retinal detachment.
A retinal tear will result in:
The biggest risk factor for developing a retinal tear is aging.
Chemosis
Chemosis refers to swelling of the tissues that line the eyelids and surface of the eye (conjunctiva). Chemosis is a sign of underlying eye irritation, not a condition of its own.
In severe cases of chemosis, the conjunctiva may appear to be blistering. In some cases, the swelling can make it difficult to close the eye.
Just as causes of excess fluid in the eye are dependent on the condition causing it, treatment of excess fluid also depends on what condition is at play.
Steroid medicationsmay be helpful in instances of swelling to lower pressure in the eye. A steroid injection can be injected directly into the eye. Or, the ophthalmologist may prescribe steroid eye drops or oral medications. If you are treated with steroids, your provider may wish to monitor you, as the treatment is associated with some adverse effects, including steroid-induced glaucoma.
Glaucoma eye dropsare specifically formulated to reduce the amount of fluid the eye produces. There are several different kinds, including alpha agonist, beta-blocker, and miotic eye drops. Your provider may prescribe one or more kinds to lower eye pressure and protect your vision.
Laser treatment, or more specifically,laser photocoagulation, is an option for treating macular degeneration or edema, and retinal tears. This laser surgery uses heat to shrink or destroy leaky blood vessels. You will be awake for the procedure but will not feel anything, thanks to the use of anesthetic eye drops.
Surgeryis typically reserved for cases when other, less-invasive treatments do not solve the problem. A surgery calledvitrectomymay be offered to people with conditions like diabetic retinopathy or retinal detachment in order to drain fluids from eye. If there is a tear in the eye, a laser can be used during the vitrectomy to fix the tear.
If you are experiencing chemosis, anover-the-counter antihistamineandcold compressesshould be enough to relieve eye irritation.
Because there are many types of excess fluid in the eye and causes vary and may even overlap, it is best to speak with a healthcare professional if you have symptoms of fluid buildup. Once the underlying condition is determined, treatment will be more effective.
Summary
Excess fluid inside the eye can happen as a result of numerous eye conditions, along with eye trauma or infection. In some cases, the condition may resolve on its own. For others, you will need treatment to prevent eye damage and vision loss.
If you notice symptoms like blurred vision or severe eye pain, make an appointment with an eye doctor. They can help you get to the root of the issue and point you toward any necessary treatment.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Haydinger C, Ferreira L, Williams K, Smith J.Mechanisms of macular edema.Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Mar;10(1):1128811. doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1128811Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diabetic retinopathy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is central serous chorioretinopathy?.Daruich A, Matet A, Dirani A, et al.Central serous chorioretinopathy: recent findings and new physiopathology hypothesis.Prog Retinal Eye Res. 2015;48:82-118. doi:10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.05.003Stahl A.The diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2020 Jul;117(29-30):513-520. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2020.0513Johns Hopkins Medicine.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Penn Medicine.Glaucoma.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Glaucoma.Diep M, Madigan M.Choroidal detachments: what do optometrists need to know?.Clin Experiment Optometry. 2019 Mar;102(2):116-125. doi:0.1111/cxo.12807American Academy of Opthalmology.What is a torn retina?.Mount Sinai.Chemosis.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Anti-VEGF treatments.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Characteristics and management of steroid-induced glaucoma.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Glaucoma eye drops.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Laser photocoagulation for age-related macular degeneration.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vitrectomy.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Haydinger C, Ferreira L, Williams K, Smith J.Mechanisms of macular edema.Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Mar;10(1):1128811. doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1128811Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diabetic retinopathy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is central serous chorioretinopathy?.Daruich A, Matet A, Dirani A, et al.Central serous chorioretinopathy: recent findings and new physiopathology hypothesis.Prog Retinal Eye Res. 2015;48:82-118. doi:10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.05.003Stahl A.The diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2020 Jul;117(29-30):513-520. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2020.0513Johns Hopkins Medicine.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Penn Medicine.Glaucoma.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Glaucoma.Diep M, Madigan M.Choroidal detachments: what do optometrists need to know?.Clin Experiment Optometry. 2019 Mar;102(2):116-125. doi:0.1111/cxo.12807American Academy of Opthalmology.What is a torn retina?.Mount Sinai.Chemosis.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Anti-VEGF treatments.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Characteristics and management of steroid-induced glaucoma.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Glaucoma eye drops.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Laser photocoagulation for age-related macular degeneration.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vitrectomy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Haydinger C, Ferreira L, Williams K, Smith J.Mechanisms of macular edema.Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Mar;10(1):1128811. doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1128811Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diabetic retinopathy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is central serous chorioretinopathy?.Daruich A, Matet A, Dirani A, et al.Central serous chorioretinopathy: recent findings and new physiopathology hypothesis.Prog Retinal Eye Res. 2015;48:82-118. doi:10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.05.003Stahl A.The diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2020 Jul;117(29-30):513-520. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2020.0513Johns Hopkins Medicine.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Penn Medicine.Glaucoma.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Glaucoma.Diep M, Madigan M.Choroidal detachments: what do optometrists need to know?.Clin Experiment Optometry. 2019 Mar;102(2):116-125. doi:0.1111/cxo.12807American Academy of Opthalmology.What is a torn retina?.Mount Sinai.Chemosis.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Anti-VEGF treatments.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Characteristics and management of steroid-induced glaucoma.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Glaucoma eye drops.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Laser photocoagulation for age-related macular degeneration.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vitrectomy.
Haydinger C, Ferreira L, Williams K, Smith J.Mechanisms of macular edema.Front Med (Lausanne). 2023 Mar;10(1):1128811. doi:10.3389/fmed.2023.1128811
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diabetic retinopathy.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.What is central serous chorioretinopathy?.
Daruich A, Matet A, Dirani A, et al.Central serous chorioretinopathy: recent findings and new physiopathology hypothesis.Prog Retinal Eye Res. 2015;48:82-118. doi:10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.05.003
Stahl A.The diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2020 Jul;117(29-30):513-520. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2020.0513
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Penn Medicine.Glaucoma.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Glaucoma.
Diep M, Madigan M.Choroidal detachments: what do optometrists need to know?.Clin Experiment Optometry. 2019 Mar;102(2):116-125. doi:0.1111/cxo.12807
American Academy of Opthalmology.What is a torn retina?.
Mount Sinai.Chemosis.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Anti-VEGF treatments.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Characteristics and management of steroid-induced glaucoma.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Glaucoma eye drops.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Laser photocoagulation for age-related macular degeneration.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Vitrectomy.
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