title: Pars plana vitrectomy for refractory diabetic macular edema.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, New Jersey Medical School, Newark 01701-1709, USA.
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grigorian
authors.forename: Neelakshi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bhagat
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lanzetta
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tutela
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zarbin
mesh_terms: 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