AIM: To evaluate 23G vitrectomy for macular edema in eyes with retinal vein occlusion(RVO)combined with vitreoretinal traction(VMT)or epiretinal membrane(ERM).

METHODS: Totally 22 patients(22 eyes)diagnosed with macular edema of RVO combined with VMT or ERM were retrospectively analyzed. Twelve cases performed with 23G vitrectomy together with peeling of inner limiting membrane(ILM)and/or ERM were considered as the observation group or intervention group. Ten cases without vitrectomy were recruited as control group. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central retinal thickness(CRT)at baseline, 1, 3 and 6mo were recorded and compared.

RESULTS: At baseline, the difference of BCVA and CRT between observation group and control group was not statistically significant(P=0.645, 0.206). After vitrectomy, the BCVA and CRT of RVO patients in observation group were significantly improved compared with baseline at each follow-up(F=2.895, P=0.048; F=16.431, P<0.01). However, the BCVA and CRT in control group remained the same as baseline at every follow-up. Moreover, the BCVA and CRT in observation group were much better than that in control group at both 3 and 6mo after vitrectomy. However, the BCVA and CRT between two groups were not significantly different at 1mo postoperatively.

CONCLUSION: The 23G vitrectomy could markedly improve BCVA and reduce CRT in RVO patients with macular edema combined with VMT and/or ERM.