Pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) is still one of the most frequent causes of loss of vision after cataract surgery. Clinical PCME occurs after initial improvement of vision 2-10 weeks after surgery in 1-2% with secondary vision loss and biomicroscopically visible macular cysts. Alterations, which are often not associated with functional limitations, can frequently be seen with angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Inflammation mediators are released due to the surgical trauma in the anterior segment of the eye and diffuse to the capillaries of the macula where they lead to exudation of fluid into the retinal tissue and swelling of the macula. Risk factors for PCME are complicated cataract surgery, diabetes, uveitis, epiretinal gliosis and a status after retinal vein occlusion. In eyes at risk, perioperative prophylaxis with topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be prescribed. The natural course of PCME is often benign with spontaneous recovery over several months; however, to avoid irreversible loss of vision treatment should be initiated.
Keywords: Cataract surgery; Complications; Loss of vision; Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Steroids.