Development of vitreomacular interface abnormality in patients with diabetic macular edema

Abstract Purpose To report the prevalence of vitreomacular interface abnormality (VMIA) and the incidence of the development of VMIA in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). Factors associated with the development of VMIA were also investigated. Methods This is a retrospective observational study. Patients with DME who were followed for at least 6 months were reviewed. Ophthalmoscopic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography were used to detect DME and VMIA. Results A total of 244 eyes in 180 patients were found to have DME at the initial visit. Of these, 16 eyes (6.56%) were also diagnosed with VMIA. Ninety-six eyes in 76 patients with DME who did not receive an intravitreal operation or medications were included in the follow-up study. VMIA developed in 8 eyes (8.33%) over a mean follow-up duration of 22.63 months, which corresponded to a calculated annual incidence of 4.42%. The mean time from the initial visit to the detection of VMIA was 19 months. Older age was found to be a risk factor for the development of VMIA. The occurrence of VMIA was associated with worsening visual acuity and a thicker central retinal thickness on the final visit. Conclusion This study reveals the prevalence of VMIA on the initial visit and the incidence and risk factors associated with the occurrence of VMIA in patients with DME. This study also found that the occurrence of VMIA was significantly associated with poor visual outcomes and worsened macular edema at the end of the observation period.