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Multiple factors may lead to better visual outcomes after vitrectomy for DME
Retina. 2010;30(9):1488-1495.
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Removing the epiretinal membrane during vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema and having worse preoperative visual acuity can result in better postop visual outcomes, according to a prospective, observational study.
The Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network evaluated 241 eyes that underwent vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema.
According to the study, greater improvement in visual acuity was observed in eyes with worse baseline acuity and in eyes that had the epiretinal membrane removed.
In addition, greater reduction in central subfield thickness was observed in eyes with worse baseline visual acuity, greater preoperative retinal thickness, internal limiting membrane removal and evidence of vitreoretinal abnormalities.
At 6-months follow-up, median central subfield thickness decreased from 412 mm to 278 mm, but median visual acuity remained unchanged at 20/80, according to the study.
"The results of this study may be useful for generating hypotheses that might be evaluated in future studies of vitrectomy in the setting of DME," the authors said. "However, in relation to patient management at present, the findings should be viewed with caution because it is unknown how these eyes would have fared in the absence of vitrectomy or with other treatment modalities."