[Results of surgery of vitreomacular traction syndromes].

PURPOSE: The vitreomacular traction syndrome is a rare entity in which partial posterior vitreous detachment is combined with persistent macular adherence, thus causing macular traction. In most cases, an epimacular membrane is associated with this vitreomacular traction. We evaluate here the results of vitreous surgery for this syndrome.

METHODS

We reviewed 18 consecutive eyes that had undergone vitrectomy and posterior epiretinal membrane stripping, to define the visual results and complications of surgery for the vitreomacular traction syndrome. Minimum follow-up was 3 months.

RESULTS

Patients' average age was 63.5 years. All had evidence of cystic macular changes on biomicroscopic examination. Sixteen patients had an epiretinal membrane, and two, a full-thickness macular hole. Cystoid macular edema was present in 7 eyes on fluorescein angiography. The release of vitreomacular traction improved vision in 72% of eyes, with six patients obtaining 20/40 visual acuity or better. Complications of surgery included progression of nuclear sclerosis, and epiretinal membrane formation.

CONCLUSION

Vitrectomy for vitreomacular traction syndrome may improve visual acuity, but the visual prognosis remains poor.