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Graefes Arch Clin Exp OphthalmolDecember 200446 citations

Optic nerve atrophy after vitrectomy with indocyanine green-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling in diffuse diabetic macular edema. Adverse effect of ICG-assisted ILM peeling.

Ando Fumitaka, Yasui Osamu, Hirose Hiroshi, Ohba Norio


AI Summary

Vitrectomy with ICG-assisted ILM peeling for diabetic macular edema improved macular anatomy but nearly half developed optic nerve atrophy, causing irreversible vision loss. This highlights potential ICG neurotoxicity.

Abstract

Purpose

To report anatomic and visual outcomes of vitrectomy and indocyanine green (ICG)-assisted peeling of the retinal internal limiting membrane (ILM) in the treatment of diffuse diabetic macular edema.

Methods

In a retrospective interventional case series, 15 eyes of 11 patients with refractory diffuse diabetic macular edema underwent pars plana vitrectomy with removal of the ILM, which was stained by intravitreal injection of ICG (0.1-0.2 ml of 0.5% ICG), performed by a single surgeon. The patients were followed up for 14-28 months (mean 20.5 months). The main outcome measures were assessment of macular edema by optical coherence tomography and determination of visual acuity and visual field.

Results

Intravitreal ICG visualized the ILM to facilitate complete removal of the structure. Qualitative assessment of optical coherence tomography images at the end of follow-up revealed that retinal thickness in the macula appeared nearly normal with or without reappearance of foveal pit in 11 of the 15 eyes (73.3%), decreased in 3 eyes (20.0%), and did not change in 1 eye (6.6%). Best-corrected visual acuity at the end of follow-up improved by 2 lines or more in 4 eyes (26.7%), virtually unchanged in 6 eyes (40.0%), and deteriorated by 2 lines or more in 5 eyes (26.7%). The mean logMAR visual acuity was 0.680 (approximately 12/60) preoperatively and 0.812 (approximately 9/60) postoperatively, the difference being not statistically significant (paired t-test, P=0.445). Seven (46.7%) of the 15 eyes developed optic nerve atrophy that occurred gradually within 6 months after surgery and caused irreversible peripheral visual field defect predominantly affecting the nasal field.

Conclusion

Intravitreal application of ICG is beneficial in uneventful ILM peeling to help resolution of diffuse diabetic macular edema, but it may potentially damage the optic nerve fibers and lead to unfavorable visual outcomes.


MeSH Terms

AdultAgedAged, 80 and overBasement MembraneColoring AgentsDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2Diabetic RetinopathyFemaleHumansIndocyanine GreenMacular EdemaMaleMiddle AgedNerve FibersOptic AtrophyRetrospective StudiesTomography, Optical CoherenceVision DisordersVisual AcuityVisual Field TestsVisual FieldsVitrectomy

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