[Risk factors for diabetic macular edema]

To determine the risk factors involved in the development of macular edema.

A retrospective, case-control study conducted on 200 diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy: 100 patients with macular edema and 100 control patients. All patients were examined using slit-lamp biomicroscopy completed by fluorescein angiography. A physical examination and the appropriate biological investigations were also carried out. Statistical significance was determined by the chi square test and Fisher's exact test. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The incidence of macular edema was significantly associated with longer duration of diabetes, a higher level of glycemia, the type of diabetes in the older onset group using insulin, the severity of diabetic retinopathy at baseline, and old age. Panretinal photocoagulation was also found as a risk factor for macular edema.

These data suggest that laser photocoagulation, reduction of hyperglycemia and better control of other factors may result in a beneficial decrease in macular edema.