Reevaluation of corneal complications after closed vitrectomy
H. Chung, F. I. Tolentino, V. N. Cajita, J. Acosta and M. F. Refojo
Microsurgery Research Laboratory, Eye Research Institute, Boston, MA 02114.
Corneal complications after closed vitrectomy were analyzed in patients
treated by the same surgeon from January 1980 through December 1986. Of 428
eyes (400 patients), 64 (15%) had corneal complications, 58 (13.6%) had
epithelial defects, and 12 (2.8%) had corneal edema. Among 206 diabetic
eyes, 41 (19.9%) had corneal complications. Of 222 nondiabetic eyes, only
23 (10.4%) showed complications. Multiple regression analysis of possible
contributing factors was performed. Diabetes, intraoperative lensectomy,
and history of vitreous surgery were related significantly to the
occurrence of all corneal complications combined. Our series showed a
significantly decreased complication rate when compared with a previous
study. Improved preoperative surgical preparation and intraoperative
technique to minimize corneal trauma may have accounted for the decrease.
