Pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal triamcinolone for chronic pseudophakic cystoid macular edema

Objective: To report on the results of pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal triamcinolone in patients with chronic pseudophakic cystoid macular edema unresponsive to medical treatment.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 9 eyes in 9 patients with chronic pseudophakic cystoid macular edema was performed. All patients had cystoid macular edema confirmed on fluorescein angiography, and were unresponsive to medical treatment. In all patients pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal application of 4 mg of triamcinolone was performed. In one patient with vitreous prolapse into the anterior chamber, anterior vitrectomy was also required.

Results: The mean interval between cataract surgery and vitrectomy was 16.28 +/- 2.1 months. The mean preoperative best corrected visual acuity was 0.1 +/- 0.11, and the mean final best corrected visual acuity 0.25 +/- 0.24, after a mean follow up of 6.6 +/- 3.5 months. In all 9 eyes there was a marked reduction of cystoid macular edema, as verified on fluorescein angiography. Intraocular pressure was raised in 4 patients, and it was controlled by topical antiglaucomatous treatment.

Conclusions: Pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal triamcinolone in eyes with chronic pseudophakic cystoid macular edema resulted in a reduction of cystoid macular edema, and visual acuity improvement.