Bilateral cystoid macular edema after cataract surgery resolved by vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of bilateral postsurgical cystoid macular edema (CME) resolved by vitrectomy.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

The author describes the case of a 72-year-old woman who developed bilateral CME after uneventful phacoemulsification of cataract (Irvine-Gass syndrome). Her maculae were clinically normal in both eyes before the surgery. The patient was initially treated with conventional medical therapy, with no success. Vitreomacular traction was documented after surgery and therefore vitreoretinal surgery was planned. Vitrectomy with removal of a clinically invisible epiretinal membrane in one eye and of a strongly adherent posterior hyaloid and of the internal limiting membrane in both eyes was rapidly successful in resolving the CME with full recovery of visual acuity.

CONCLUSIONS

A tractional component may add to the pathogenesis of CME. Vitrectomy should therefore be considered a treatment modality if vitreomacular traction is evident.