ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) and the diabetic macular edema (DME).MethodsA total of 169 eyes with DME which were diagnosed by funduscopy，fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were retrospectively analysed. PVD and partial PVD were detected by OCT and biomicroscopy. The characterizations of OCT images of DME were analysed.ResultsIn 169 eyes, 156 (92.3%) had no PVD with the average thickness of fovea of 297 μm; 11 (6.5%) had complete PVD with the average thickness of fovea of 229 μm; 2 (1.2%) had partial PVD with the average thickness of fovea of 347 μm.ConclusionsOnly a few PVD were found in DME eyes, so traction of PVD may not be the main cause of DME. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2003,19:341-343)