title: Vitrectomy in diabetics. A new procedure for prevention of blindness in diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: A report is presented of 46 diabetics submitted to pars plana vitrectomy on account of severe intravitreal haemorrhage. The follow-up period lasted up to 15 months. The visual acuity alone is not an adequate parameter for the evaluation of postoperative success in view of the central retinal lesions resulting from severe diabetic retinopathy. The vitreous cavity was found to be clear in 33 cases and in 27 cases visual acuity reached at least 6/60. In 11 cases new haemorrhages occurred postoperatively, 6 of which cleared spontaneously within 2 weeks. In the remaining cases irrigation of the vitreous chamber by means of the vitrectomy instrument was necessary. Retinal injury due to the tip of the instrument was avoided in every case. The patients were out of bed on the first postoperative day and discharged between the 8th and 10th postoperative day provided that no relapse haemorrhage occurred.
mesh_terms: D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000601:surgery*
vernacular_title: Die Vitrektomie beim Diabetiker.