2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
12 Retina and Vitreous
Part III: Selected Therapeutic Topics
Chapter 20: Vitreoretinal Surgery and Intravitreal Injections
Vitrectomy for Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Macular Edema
The current mainstays of treatment for diabetic macular edema are intravitreal anti-VEGF, corticosteroid pharmacotherapy, and photocoagulation (for more information regarding pharmacologic agents, please see Chapter 5 of this volume). However, vitrectomy with membrane peeling may be considered for recalcitrant cases in which the posterior hyaloid or epiretinal membrane is taut. In these instances, the surgeon performs a pars plana vitrectomy with mechanical release of a taut hyaloid, peeling of epiretinal membrane, and stripping of the ILM as necessary.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.