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

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 I I months, respectively. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of chronic pseudophakic cystoid macular edema that favors ably responded to pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling, as concluded after a MEDLINE search. (C) 2002 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.