Vitrectomy for progressive proliferative diabetic retinopathy
S. de Bustros, J. T. Thompson, R. G. Michels and T. A. Rice
We analyzed the results of 105 diabetic vitrectomy cases. The vitrectomies
were performed for progressive fibrovascular proliferation that caused
epiretinal membranes, vitreopapillary traction, florid neovascularization,
or subhyaloid hemorrhage, with or without substantial preoperative visual
loss. Eyes with inactive retinal neovascularization, dense vitreous
hemorrhage, traction retinal detachment involving the macula, or combined
traction and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were excluded. Seventy-four
eyes (70%) had improved final vision. The final vision was unchanged in
eight eyes (8%) and was worse in 23 eyes (22%). Factors associated with a
favorable visual prognosis included the following: age of 40 years or less,
preoperative visual acuity of 5/200 or better, absence of preoperative iris
neovascularization, preoperative panretinal photocoagulation, and absence
of an iatrogenic retinal break.
