Vitreomacular traction (VMT) is a condition characterized by an incomplete posterior vitreous detachment resulting in traction on the macula and decreased visual acuity. The process of vitreomacular traction can lead to a number of maculopathies including cystoid macular edema, epiretinal membranes, and macular holes. VMT is more common in patients over 40 years of age; however no population-based studies documenting the prevalence of VMT in this age group has been published. Purpose: The current study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of vitreomacular traction syndrome in the population aged above 40. Clinical examination does not adequately illustrate the extent of vitreomacular adhesion; therefore, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) was used to determine the presence of VMT. High-definition OCT has provided new insight into vitreomacular traction syndrome by allowing for better visualization of the tractional forces at the vitreoretinal interface. This investigation will analyze the vitreomacular interface with regard to VMT in correlation to age through use of the Spectral Domain OCT. Methods: One hundred and thirty-one eyes of 67 patients (36 females/31 males) were examined by optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT was performed to obtain high-resolution cross-sectional images of the vitreoretinal interface in the posterior fundus. Results: The status of the posterior vitreoretinal interface was evaluated as follows; (1) Intact Vitreous- No posterior vitreous abnormality is depicted on OCT. (2) Vitreomacular adhesion/incomplete PVD- the posterior vitreous is partially attached and can be seen in contact with the macula on OCT. (3) Vitreomacular traction- the posterior vitreous is partially adhered to the inner retina resulting in distortion of the retinal architecture. (4) Complete posterior vitreous detachment, indicating no contact between the vitreous and retina. Conclusion: OCT results found no vitreous abnormality in 39.7% of all eyes; PVD in 6.87% of eyes, VMA in 51.1% of eyes, and VMT in 2.29% of eyes. Age was a significant risk factor to the development of VMT, while gender was not. As age increases, the probability of having VMT increases by 1.2%. Due to the association between vitreomacular traction and a variety of maculopathies, recognition and diagnosis of this entity is crucial. High definition OCT has allowed for outstanding visualization of the vitreomacular interface, which has allowed for a better understanding of this entity.

PURPOSE: This study examined the surgical outcomes after pars plana vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy at various stages of posterior vitreous detachment. The investigation assessed the changes in visual acuity and the frequency of complications associated with each stage of detachment. METHODS: This retrospective, single-site, single-surgeon study reviewed 328 medical records of patients at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston, MA) requiring pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy between 2000 and 2017. The 328 patients were separated into 4 groups based on their vitreous status (Stages 0 and 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4). Preoperative characteristics were collected, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and diabetes duration. Complications, visual acuity, and reoperation data were collected postoperatively. RESULTS: Sixty-one percent of the patients in the combined group (Stages 0 and 1), 56% in Stage 2, 67% in Stage 3, and 77% in Stage 4 did not require a revision PPV. Thirteen percent of the patients in the combined group, 13% in Stage 2, 5% in Stage 3, and 0% in Stage 4 required a revision PPV for retinal detachment. This represented a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.0254). The combined group had a postoperative change in BCVA of 0.31 compared with 0.29 for Stage 2, 0.67 for Stage 3, and 0.90 for Stage 4. These BCVA changes represented a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0001) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that having a preoperative posterior vitreous detachment leads to improved visual acuity postoperatively and decreased chance of developing a postoperative retinal detachment. The study also indicates that increased vitreoretinal traction results in less change in visual acuity and an increase in complications. Further research is needed to validate these findings.