Fluid Aspiration From Intraretinal Cysts for Refractory Diabetic Macular Edema

To report the surgical outcome of fluid aspiration in intraretinal cysts as a novel treatment approach for the refractory cystoid macular edema associated with diabetic retinopathy.

This retrospective consecutive case series examined eight patients with refractory cystoid macular edema who underwent intraretinal cyst fluid aspiration using a 38-gauge subretinal infusion needle during pars plana vitrectomy. This study reviewed changes in central retinal thickness, best-corrected visual acuity, and central sensitivity among patients followed up for 12 months postsurgery.

Central retinal thickness on optical coherence tomography (microm) significantly improved at 12 months after surgery (308 ± 99) compared with before surgery (480 ± 141) ( P < 0.005). During the follow-up period, cystoid macular edema relapsed in one eye. The best-corrected visual acuity (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution) at 12 months postsurgery (0.23 ± 0.32, Snellen equivalent: 20/50) was significantly better than the preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (0.39 ± 0.29, Snellen equivalent: 20/63) ( P < 0.01). The mean deviation value of central sensitivity did not significantly change between preoperative (-2.5 ± 2.1) and postoperative (-2.2 ± 2.2) assessments ( P = 0.07).

Fluid aspiration in intraretinal cysts may be a treatment option for refractory cystoid macular edema in eyes with diabetes.