Cystotomy for diabetic cystoid macular edema

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of vitrectomy with cysto tomy in the treatment of diabetic cystoid macular edema (CME). Among 22 eye s of 21 patients with diabetic CME underwent phacoemulsification, intraocul ar lens implantation, pars plana vitrectomy, induction of posterior vitreou s detachment, and cystotomy or cystectomy. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 29 mo nths. Under biomicroscopic examination, Cystoid macular edema was eliminate d in 16 of 22 eyes during the follow-up period. Ring-shaped residual edema was observed in one eye. Corrected visual acuity improved in 7 of 22 eyes b y more than one Snellen line (P = 0.0391, paired t-test), remained the same in 13 eyes, and decreased by more than one line in 2 eyes. This pilot stud y shows that cystotomy may have a role in the treatment of cystoid macular edema in diabetic patients.