Postsurgical evaluation of idiopathic vitreomacular traction syndrome by optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE: To report a case of idiopathic vitreomacular traction syndrome wit h preoperative and postoperative evaluation by optical coherence tomography . DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 62-year-old woman presented with blurred vision in the left eye because of idiopathic vitreomacular traction syndrome, and she underwent a pars plana vitrectomy, Optical coherence tomography was per formed before a nd after surgery. RESULTS: Preoperative optical coherence tomography, right eye, revealed res idual adhesion of incomplete posterior vitreous detachment and edematous, t hickened outer retina in the macula. A successful vitrectomy relieved vitre oretinal traction with nearly complete resolution of cystoid macular edema within 1 month after surgery, followed in subsequent months by gradual fove al depression resembling a lamellar macular hole, Resolution of subretinal serous fluid was delayed with complete disappearance, some 12 months after surgery, which correlated with a gradual improvement in visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography provides a sensitive anatomical ev aluation of vitreomacular traction syndrome. Reorganization of retinal tiss ue after surgical intervention for vitreoretinal traction may be slower tha n is apparent from conventional examinations. (Am J Ophthalmol 2001;132:122 -123. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).