Is cataract surgery a risk factor for progression of macular degeneration?

Purpose Of Review: There is a suggestion of increased risk or progression of age-related macular degeneration after cataract surgery, which is related to the increased exposure of the retina to short-wavelength light.

Recent Findings: Cell culture and animal work has described retinal and retinal pigment epithelium phototoxicity on acute light exposure. Clinical studies suggest that the use of short-wavelength-blocking intraocular lenses can help but may also affect visual function and circadian rhythm.

Pars plana vitrectomy with and without peeling of the inner limiting membrane for diabetic macular edema.

Purpose: A prospective, comparative, nonrandomized study to evaluate the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with and without inner limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for persistent diffuse clinically significant macular edema.

Methods: Eighteen patients with persistent diffuse clinically significant macular edema despite laser photocoagulation were recruited for the study. Clinical assessment included determination of best-corrected visual acuity, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and perifoveal cone function testing.

Vitreous and aqueous concentrations of proangiogenic, antiangiogenic factors and other cytokines in diabetic retinopathy patients with macular edema: Implications for structural differences in macular profiles.

The aim of the study was to determine anatomical and growth factor profiles in patients with clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO) undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Twenty patients with moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) with persistent CSMO underwent PPV. Patients had baseline and postoperative clinical assessment including Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT).