Purpose  

To analyze the long-term effects of pars plana vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema.

Methods  

Sixty-nine patients (73 eyes) with diabetic macular edema were examined retrospectively after pars plana vitrectomy. The mean follow-up time was 24.6 ± 7.3 months.

Results  

The postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 12 months was significantly better than the preoperative BCVA, and the improvement was maintained for at least 24 months. The mean central retinal thickness (RT) at 3 months after surgery was significantly thinner than the preoperative central RT, and was maintained for at least 24 months in the cases followed for this period. The postoperative BCVA was significantly worse than the preoperative BCVA at 2 years after surgery in eyes with a preoperative BCVA of ≤0.05. In addition, there was lower probability that the postoperative BCVA would be ≥0.5 in eyes with a preoperative BCVA of <0.3.

Conclusions  

The results indicate that the improvement in the BCVA is attained by 12 months postvitrectomy, and is maintained for at least 24 months. The reduction in RT can be maintained for up to 24 months. The results also indicate that vitrectomy should be performed when the preoperative BCVA is >0.05 at worst. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2007;51:285–291 @ Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2007