The role of vitrectomy in treatment of diabetic macular edema

Abstract EN

Diabetic macular edema is the most frequent cause of visual loss in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

The precise role of the posterior hyaloid in the pathogenesis of diabetic maculopathy remains unclear.

Macular traction caused by thickened posterior hyaloid membrane may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic macular edema Methodology : A descriptive study including 12 randomly chosen patients with diffuse diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy underwent pars plana vitrectomy.

Results : The preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged from 0.02 to 0.10 with mean of 0.04 ± 0.02 upon inclusion into the study.

The mean postoperative BCVA was 0.13 ± 0.06 ranging from 0.05 to 0.20.There was a highly statistically significant difference between the results.

Finally by the end of the follow up period there were 91.6 % of eyes showing regression of macular edema that were consistent with the fundus fluorescin angiography (F.F.A.) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings.

Conclusion : Our results lead us to the conclusion that vitrectomy positively influences diabetic macular edema with more favorable outcome as regards preserving and improving vision.

Although the visual outcome and potential for stable vision is quite promising, the risk of surgery must be weighted against the advantages of the technique.