Pars plana vitrectomy for refractory diabetic macular edema.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to describe the results of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for refractory diabetic macular edema (DME).


METHODS
Review of the relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature identified using Medline.


METHODS
The anatomical and functional outcome of surgery.


RESULTS
Vitrectomy with or without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling can be beneficial for the treatment of DME that is resistant to laser photocoagulation or sub-Tenon's steroid injection. Visual improvement has been reported in approximately 40-90% of patients, with approximately 85-100% experiencing either improvement or stabilization of vision. Retinal edema decreases or resolves in approximately 70-100% of patients. Complications range in severity with approximately 5-20% of patients developing peripheral retinal breaks, approximately 1-2% developing retinal detachment, approximately 2% developing macular hole, and approximately 10-60% developing cataract. Severe complications such as rubeosis iridis and the fibrinoid syndrome have also been reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Pars plana vitrectomy can be an effective treatment for diabetic macular edema refractory to laser therapy and/or sub-Tenon's capsule steroid injection.
Grigorian
Ruben
R
Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, New Jersey Medical School, Newark 01701-1709, USA.
Bhagat
Neelakshi
N
Lanzetta
Paolo
P
Tutela
Arthur
A
Zarbin
Marco
M
D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000503:physiopathology