Treatment of pseudophakic CME

Abstract

Pseudophakic cystoid macular edema is now an infrequent complication of cataract surgery. However, since cataract surgery continues to be one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, the prevalence of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema is high. In addition, although pseudophakic cystoid macular edema has been a well-defined entity since the 1950s and 1960s, little progress has been made in understanding its pathogenesis or in deriving an effective treatment of the condition. While acute pseudophakic cystoid macular edema may resolve spontaneously, chronic visually significant pseudophakic cystoid macular edema remains difficult to treat. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and corticosteroids in various forms can be used, but each type of treatment lacks satisfactory success. Eyes with abnormal vitreous or refractory to medical therapy can be improved with vitrectomy surgery. It must be concluded, however, that there is a real need for significant advances in both the understanding and treatment of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema.