What is new in PCMO?

28 February 2019
Winter 2019

Pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema is a relatively common finding after cataract surgery, and optometrists are often the first to diagnose it, writes George Winter.

Pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema (PCMO) ‒ or Irvine-Gass syndrome ‒ was first described in 1953 in patients with unexplained sight loss after uneventful cataract surgery (Guo et al, 2015). Possibly caused by iris trauma, prostaglandin release and/or tractional force on the macula, PCMO results in disruption of the blood-retinal barrier, with fluid accumulating in extracellular retinal spaces, forming multiple cystic areas of fluid in the macula (Vukicevic et al, 2012). Around 80 per cent of symptomatic patients experience spontaneous improvement by three to 12 months (Yonekawa and Kim, 2012).

Sign in to continue

Forgotten password?
Register

Not already a member of the College?

Start enjoying the benefits of College membership today. Take a look at what the College can offer you and view our membership categories and rates.

Related further reading

The new NHS funding package aims to deliver an additional 20,000 cataract surgeries.

This OiP article looks at fitting contact lenses to treat children with a variety of conditions.

A review of the major risk factors for cataract.