Prognostic value of vitreous findings in diabetic retinopathy
A. Jalkh, M. Takahashi, H. W. Topilow, C. L. Trempe and J. W. McMeel
We examined the vitreous in 163 eyes with diabetic retinopathy using a
+58.6-diopter aspherical preset lens and a slitlamp. Sixty-eight eyes had
no vitreous detachment, 76 eyes had partial vitreous detachment, and 19
eyes had complete vitreous detachment. This article studies the
vitreoretinal relationship to determine its role in the progression of
proliferative diabetic retinopathy. We found that partial vitreous
detachment with vitreoretinal traction is a major risk factor for
progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, whether or not
photocoagulation is performed. With complete vitreous detachment or with no
vitreous detachment, the absence of vitreous traction protects against the
progression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
