The outcome of vitrectomy for macular edema was examined in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), as well as whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in vitreous fluid influence the visual prognosis and macular edema. Twenty-six consecutive patients with CRVO and macular edema underwent vitrectomy. Best-corrected visual acuity, retinal thickness, and the VEGF and IL-6 levels in vitreous fluid were measured before and after surgery. Both visual acuity and retinal thickness were significantly improved at 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.0114 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The vitreous VEGF level was significantly higher in patients who showed less improvement of visual acuity (p = 0.0182). In contrast, a high vitreous VEGF level was associated with greater improvement of macular edema (p = 0.0199). These results suggest that the vitreous VEGF level may be correlated with the visual prognosis and changes of macular edema in CRVO patients after vitrectomy.

Keywords:
Central retinal vein occlusion, Foveal thickness, Macular edema, Vitrectomy
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2010
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