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Macular Edema
Macular Edema A swelling (edema) in the macula, an area near the center of the retina of the eye that is responsible for fine or reading vision. Macular edema is a common complication associated with diabetic retinopathy.|See also: Diabetic retinopathy; retina.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Macula
A specialized part of the retina containing mostly cones. The macula is used for all detailed visual tasks. The center of the macula is called the fovea. If a disease process harms or destroys the macula, vision is usually reduced to 20/200 (legal blindness).
Retina
A membrane lining the inside of the back of the eye that contains light-sensitive nerve cells that convert focused light into nerve impulses, making vision possible.
Vision
The sense of sight.
Edema
Accumulation of abnormal quantities of fluid in spaces between the cells of the body. Edema can accumulate in almost any location in the body. Most common sites include the feet and ankles.
Complication
In medicine, an additional problem that arises following a procedure, treatment or illness and is secondary to it. A complication complicates the situation.
Diabetic
Pertaining to Diabetes. Patient suffering from this condition.
Retinopathy
Degeneration of the retina.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Macugen
Macugen is a prescription or over-the-counter drug which is (or once was) approved in the United States and possibly in other countries. Active ingredient(s): pegaptanib sodium.
Macula
A specialized part of the retina containing mostly cones. The macula is used for all detailed visual tasks. The center of the macula is called the fovea. If a disease process harms or destroys the macula, vision is usually reduced to 20/200 (legal blindness).
Macula lutea
The cone rich area of the human eye that contains the fovea.
Macular degeneration
Damage or breakdown of the macula, which is an area in the back of the eye that controls central vision. It may be caused by injury or aging; and while it does not progress to total blindness, patients with macular degeneration require special optical aids to enlarge distant and near objects.
Macule
A discolored, flat spot of skin.
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M.F.A.
Master of Fine Arts.
Mono-diet (monophagic diet)
Any regimen characterized by|(a) restriction of food intake to one specific kind of food, or (b) restriction of each meal to one specific kind of food (e.g., porridge alone for breakfast, fruits alone for lunch, and meat alone for dinner).
M.S.W.
Master of Social Work.
Macrosomia
Abnormally large; in diabetes, refers to abnormally large babies that may be born to women with diabetes.
Macrovascular Disease
A disease of the large blood vessels that sometimes occurs when a person has had diabetes for a long time. Fat and blood clots build up in the large blood vessels and stick to the vessel walls. Three kinds of macrovascular disease are coronary disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease.
Macular Edema
Maturity-Onset Diabetes
Former term for Type 2 (noninsulin-dependent) diabetes.|See: Type 2 Diabetes.
Mauriac Syndrome
A condition that occurs as the result of chronic poor control of diabetes. It leads to an enlarged liver due to excessive glycogen deposition, short stature and delayed puberty. There is usually a history of repeated hospitalizations for ketoacidosis and hemoglobin A1c tests can be as high as twice the upper level of normal. Kidney function is usually not affected although it may be an additional complication of poor control. Eating disorders are sometimes an accompaniment.
MDI
Multiple daily injections (of insulin). One of several terms that are used to describe insulin programs that are designed to obtain tight control of blood sugar by giving several shots every day.
Meal Plan
A guide for controlling the amount of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats a person eats. People with diabetes can use such plans as the Exchange Lists or the Point System to help them plan their meals so that they can keep their diabetes under control.|See also: Exchange lists; point system.
Metabolic Syndrome
A combination of health conditions that place a person at high risk for heart disease. These conditions are type 2 diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood), and obesity. According to theory, all of these conditions are associated with high blood insulin levels, and it is claimed that the underlying problem in patients with the Metabolic Syndrome is faulty insulin release from the beta cells of the pancreas.|Previously called Syndrome X.
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