Vitrectomy for diabetic macular oedema

Abstract

Aim To briefly review and discuss the literature on vitrectomy for diabetic macular oedema. Methods Literature review.

Reduced concentrations of angiogenesis-related factors in vitreous after vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy

“…The reason why vitrectomy is effective in reducing angiogenic factors more rapidly than anti-angiogenic factors has not been determined, but two possibilities can be considered. First, there is an improvement of tissue oxygenation [17][18][19], and second, there is an increase in the diffusion of growth factors away from the retina [20]. It has been reported that hypoxia up-regulates both angiopoietin-2 [21] and HGF signaling [22].…”

Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant in Vitrectomized Versus Nonvitrectomized Eyes for Treatment of Patients with Persistent Diabetic Macular Edema

“…[2][3][4][5][6] However, for many patients, the chronic and recurrent nature of retinal diseases requires continued drug therapy after surgical procedure. [7][8][9] Experience with VEGF 10 and a number of drugs, including triamcinolone acetonide, 11,12 amphotericin B, 13 and 5-fluorouracil, 14 suggests that some drugs are cleared more rapidly in vitrectomized eyes. Indeed, further intravitreal pharmacologic treatment of posterior segment disease may be less effective after removal of the vitreous.…”

Surgical management of the late complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy

“…3 There may also be a role for vitrectomy surgery in the treatment of diabetic macular oedema with vitreomacular traction. 18 …”