[Long-term prognosis of cystoid macular edema after microsurgery of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment].

We reviewed 25 eyes of 24 patients who had undergone successful repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and who showed cystoid macular edema disclosed by routine fluorescein angiography performed 10-12 weeks postoperatively. The follow-up ranged from 18 months to 10 years (average: 60 months). Angiographic CME spontaneously disappeared in 19 eyes (76%). Complete disappearance of CME occurred less than 2 years postoperatively in all eyes. No late recurrence was observed. The final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 15 eyes (78.9%). The final near reading visual acuity was normal in 16 eyes (84.2%). Angiographic CME was still present in 6 eyes (24%) 2 years postoperatively. It remained unchanged during the follow-up period (average 64 months) in all eyes. Cystoid macular degeneration developed in only 1 of the 6 eyes with chronic angiographic CME. Five of the 6 eyes with chronic CME retained useful near reading visual acuity during the follow-up period. The long-term prognosis of angiographic CME after microsurgical repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment appears to be good in most cases.