Incidence of acute postoperative cystoid macular edema in clinical practice

Purpose: To measure the incidence of acute postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME) in clinical practice.

Setting: Private clinical practice, Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: The electronic medical records database was searched for the charts of all patients having cataract surgery during a recent 5-year period. Each chart was then examined for a diagnosis of CME within the 3-month postoperative period.

Results: From March 1, 2007, through March 31, 2012, 2862 phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation procedures were performed. Of these, 3 cases (0.1%) of acute postoperative CME were confirmed by diagnosis within 90 days after surgery.

Conclusions: This chart review found a 0.1% cumulative incidence of acute postoperative CME. Prophylaxis with topical steroidal and nonsteroidal agents may help reduce the incidence of CME. If the incidence of CME in this study applies generally, it would be harder to successfully and ethically perform a randomized trial of medical prophylaxis.

Financial disclosure: Dr. Packer is a consultant to Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., Allergan, Inc., Bausch & Lomb Surgical, Inc., and Ista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.