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Diabetic macular edema may progress after cataract surgery in some patients
CHICAGO – A small percentage of eyes with diabetic macular edema may progress to central involvement following cataract surgery, according to a study conducted by the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network.
“Of eyes without definite center-involved diabetic macular edema prior to cataract surgery, this report suggests that approximately 11% progress on to develop center-involved macular edema by 16 weeks,” Carl W. Baker, MD, told colleagues at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery annual meeting.
The prospective, 45-center, observational study included 276 patients at its primary endpoint of 16 weeks. Median age was 65 years, and patients had type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Forty-one percent of eyes had history of prior diabetic macular edema treatment.
“Eyes with no history of diabetic macular edema treatment appear less likely to progress to central-involved diabetic macular edema,” Dr. Baker said.
Additionally, patients who progressed to central involvement were less likely to achieve 20/40 vision, and 10% actually lost two lines or more.
- Disclosure: Dr. Baker has no relevant financial disclosures.