The effect of internal limiting membrane peeling on chronic recalcitrant pseudophakic cystoid macular edema: a report of two cases

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe the effect of internal limiting membrane peeling in chronic recalcitrant pseudophakic cystoid macular edema. DESIGN: Two interventional case reports. METHODS: Two consecutive patients with chronic pseudophakic cystoid macular edema of 11–22 months duration, after uncomplicated cataract surgery, unresponsive to previous treatment, were enrolled. The surgical technique consisted of pars plana vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling. Main outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity, biomicroscopic appearance, and perifoveal leakage on fluorescein angiography. Optical coherence tomography scans were performed postoperatively. RESULTS: Pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling resulted in anatomical, angiographic, and functional improvement in both patients, for total follow-up periods of 8 and 11 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of chronic pseudophakic cystoid macular edema that favorably responded to pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling, as concluded after a MEDLINE search.