Long-term effects of vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion and hemiretinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling for macular edema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and hemiretinal vein occlusion (HRVO).


METHODS
Best-corrected visual acuity, central foveal thickness by optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography were evaluated retrospectively in 20 patients (20 eyes). The mean follow-up time was 61.2 months. Pars plana vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling using indocyanine green staining were performed in all patients.


RESULTS
Preoperative mean central foveal thickness of all 20 eyes decreased significantly by 6 months, and this reduction was maintained until 60 months. The mean central foveal thickness of the group with perfused type CRVO, ischemic type CRVO, and HRVO at 6 months significantly decreased from the preoperative value, and the significant reduction was maintained until 60 months. Best-corrected visual acuity of the perfused CRVO and HRVO groups tended to improve in contrast to the ischemic CRVO group postoperatively. Best-corrected visual acuity of the perfused CRVO group at 24 months or later was significantly improved from preoperative best-corrected visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling in eyes with macular edema secondary to CRVO and HRVO produces an anatomical improvement, which persists up to 5 years, and a best-corrected visual acuity improvement, at least in perfused CRVO and HRVO.
Park
Dong Ho
DH
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyungpook National University, Chung-Gu, Taegu, South Korea.
Kim
In Taek
IT
D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007208:Indocyanine Green; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014821:Vitrectomy
D004396:Coloring Agents; D007208:Indocyanine Green