[Persistent diabetic macular edema--surgical versus laser therapy].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the benefit of pars plana vitrectomy versus conventional laser therapy in eyes with persistent diabetic macular edema.


METHODS
In this interventional, comparative study we prospectively evaluate 22 eyes from 11 patients with bilateral, persistent diabetic macular edema. In one eye (study eye), at random, pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling was performed and in fellow eye (control eye) laser photocoagulation was continued. Cases with taut posterior hyaloid and epiretinal membranes were excluded. No dye was used for ILM staining. Cases were followed-up at least 12 months.


RESULTS
Resolution of macular edema was noted in 72.70% of vitrectomized eyes as compared to 18,20% of laser treated eyes. Visual acuity increased in 45.45% of study eyes as compared to only 9.09% of control eyes. Significantly increase of vision (from 0.087 to 0.2) was noted only in vitrectomized eyes previously laser-treated less than 3 times.


CONCLUSIONS
Pars plana vitrectomy with ILM peeling was effective in reducing persistent diabetic macular edema in most of the cases. Significant functional result was limited by numerous previous laser sessions.
Brănişteanu
D
D
Clinica I Oftalmologie - Universitatea dE Medicină şi Farmacie GR. T. Popa, Iaşi, România.
Robu
M
M
Irimia
A
A
D000368:Aged; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014821:Vitrectomy