Vitreoretinal relationship in diabetic retinopathy. A biomicroscopic evaluation
M. Takahashi, C. L. Trempe, K. Maguire and J. W. McMeel
The vitreoretinal relationships of 312 eyes with diabetic retinopathy were
analyzed statistically, based on the results of biomicroscopic observation
and photography of the vitreous. Vitreous detachment usually occurs outside
the temporal vascular arcades, and the macula subsequently becomes involved
in the midstage of the proliferative process. The incidence of no vitreous
detachment and complete vitreous detachment are significantly lower in
proliferative retinopathy as compared with nonproliferative than in
nonproliferative retinopathy. The relatively high incidence of
proliferation with no vitreous detachment indicates that vitreous
detachment is not the sole triggering factor in the development of
proliferative changes. However, partial vitreous detachment was shown,
retrospectively, to stimulate a rapid exacerbation of the proliferative
process as compared with eyes having no vitreous detachment or complete
vitreous detachment.
