G. Vaneffenterre et al., DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA INDUCED BY POSTERI OR HYALOID CONTRACTION SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT, Journal francais d'ophtalmologie, 16(11), 1993, pp. 602-610
We have observed some patients with diabetic macular edema who did not
respond to grid laser treatment and who improved with spontaneous pos
terior vitreous detachment or vitrectomy. These cases have a taut and
glistening vitreo-macular interface. Three such cases are presented in
detail. Pars plana vitrectomy with separation of the posterior hyaloi
d was performed in 22 cases. All of them had proliferative diabetic re
tinopathy, previously treated by panretinal photocoagulation. Fourteen
cases had an ineffective macular grid laser treatment. Postoperative
visual acuity was improved in 19 eyes and was unchanged in three eyes.
The macular edema disappeared in 12 eyes and decreased in 10. Complic
ations included a vitreous hemorrhage in 6 eyes, a paramacular tear in
1 eye, a reghmatogenous retinal detachment in 1 eye and cataract form
ation in 2 eyes. Vitreous surgery can improve the visual prognosis in
cases of diabetic macular edema associated with a pathological vitreo-
macular interface.