Hyperreflective foci in outer retina predictive of photoreceptor damage and poor vision after vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlation between visual outcomes and preoperative hyperreflective foci in the outer retinal layers seen on spectral domain optical coherence tomography images in eyes that underwent vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 32 consecutive eyes that underwent vitrectomy for diabetic macular edema. Ten eyes had accumulated or many hyperreflective foci in the outer retinal layers preoperatively; 22 eyes did not have the pathology. The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution and the junction between inner and outer segments were studied in the groups. RESULTS: Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution was significantly better in eyes without hyperreflective foci than in those with hyperreflective foci at 3 months and 6 months, and the last visit (P = 0.029, 0.010, and