Purpose: To review cystoid macular edema in relationship with ocular hypotensive lipids and to present recommendations for use in eyes at increased risk of cystoid macular edema.
Design: Focused literature review and authors' clinical experience.
Methods: Cystoid macular edema in association with cataract surgery, epinephrine therapy, and ocular hypotensive lipid therapy is reviewed.
Results: Cystoid macular edema may be associated with a variety of therapeutic interventions, predominantly in eyes at increased risk with open or absent posterior lens capsule and ocular inflammation. Based primarily on experience with latanoprost, the association between ocular hypotensive lipids and cystoid macular edema, even in high-risk eyes, although present, appears to be low.
Conclusions: Considering the low incidence of cystoid macular edema associated with latanoprost therapy, the authors feel that after maximal tolerable medical therapy and with proper precautions, the use of an ocular hypotensive lipid is an acceptable alternative to filtration surgery in high-risk eyes.