**Author details**

OCT is the only method capable to identify and describe the aspect of the vitreoretinal interface. As such, within the DME group OCT individualizes a subgroup of patients with posterior hyaloid traction (PHT) which is often overlooked with fundus biomicroscopy. This particular form of DME is more resistant to medical therapy and vitreo-retinal surgery with membrane dissection is indicated. Intraoperative OCT is an important decision-making tool assisting the surgeon to identify the surgical planes and define the relationships of the membrane with the retina [9]. Not only does OCT identify the causes of DME, but it also allows early diagnosis and treatment of DME, before it is clinically significant [10]. This is translated in the clinical practice by

The moment of treatment emerges from the OCT aspect correlated with visual acuity. Generally, there is a parallel correspondence between the anatomical and functional data. However, if OCT shows a slight increase in central retinal thickness (CRT) but visual acuity is 20/20, the patient is watched closely, and treatment is promptly initiated if the visual function

Usually, the evolution of OCT aspect of the macula is parallel to the response of visual acuity. If the increase of visual acuity does not correspond to the improvement of OCT aspect, a long time evolution of DME and/or the use of multiple treatment modalities should be considered [10].

OCT is a noninvasive, well-tolerated method, easy to understand and explain. It offers qualitative information on retinal thickness, and it is reliable and reproducible. OCT reveals the

There is a correlation between macular thickness and visual acuity in patients with DME. The

In DME OCT technology has significant impact at various levels: it elucidates the pathogenic mechanisms of DME; it has a major contribution in identifying hyaloid-macular traction; it identifies the subclinical DME allowing early treatment; it makes it possible to correlate macular thickness with visual acuity; it monitors the evolution of DME following treatment.

This study was funded by grant number PED 156, Executive Agency for Higher Education,

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this

better anatomical and functional outcomes.

presence and extension of vitreo-macular traction.

OCT pattern that was associated with worse visual outcome is CME.

Research, Development and Innovation Funding, Romania.

follows a negative trend [10].

52 OCT - Applications in Ophthalmology

**9. Conclusions**

**Acknowledgements**

**Conflict of interest**

chapter.

Simona Delia Nicoară

Address all correspondence to: simonanicoara1@gmail.com

Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
