Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Vitreomacular Traction Resulting in Persistent Postoperative Loculated Foveal Subretinal Fluid

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a case of postoperative persistent loculated subretinal fluid (SRF) that developed after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for vitreomacular traction (VMT) syndrome. Methods: A case was analyzed and a literature review performed. Results: A healthy 64-year-old man with no significant ocular history presented with persistent, symptomatic VMT. Combined phacoemulsification and PPV, epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane peeling, and gas–fluid exchange were performed. Postoperative spectral-domain optical coherence tomography imaging showed loculated foveal SRF. The SRF persisted for 8 months, with minimal change in size and little BCVA improvement. Conclusions: Although persistent loculated SRF has been reported after vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) in high myopia and tractional RD in diabetes, it has not yet been reported postoperatively after PPV for VMT. Studies of the pathophysiology and long-term course of persistent SRF after PPV for VMT are needed to inform management decisions for this rare complication.

From the Editor-in-Chief

“…Wilson et al 15 report an unusual case of persistent subfoveal subretinal fluid after PPV, membrane peeling, and internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal. The authors describe the surgical indication as vitreomacular traction and reported unusually tight interfaces for the posterior hyaloid, the epiretinal membrane, and the ILM.…”