Long-term effectiveness of vitrectomy in diabetic cystoid macular edema

The aim of this study is to assess whether the outcome of pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of cystoid non-tractional diabetic macular edema is stable and durable.

A prospective longitudinal analysis of central macular thickness and visual acuity was performed, using repeated-measures ANOVA, in 22 subjects with cystoid diabetic macular edema.

Of the patients, 45.5 % met the criteria for surgical success at 6 months (achieving a reduction of central macular thickness of over 20 %, without associated loss of vision and central macular thickness less than 300 μm), of which 70 % remained stable at 1 year. A significant outcome of the intervention was found on central macular thickness (p < 0.01), but not on visual acuity (p = 0.159). This change occurred in the immediate postoperative period to remain stable thereafter.

Vitreoretinal surgery can be an alternative treatment option in cases that do not respond to other types of treatment provided. Its expected benefit is observed in most cases in the immediate postoperative period, and is usually stable and sustained over 1-year follow-up.