title: Long-term diabetic vitrectomy results. Report of 10 year follow-up.
abstract: Ten year follow-up examinations were obtained on 72 cases having pars plana vitrectomies for diabetic retinopathy complications from 1970 to 1973. Forty-two percent of the cases maintained 6/60 or better visual acuities through the tenth year. The visual results were quite stable, with 53% of the cases having the same or better visual acuities at ten years compared with six months. Neovascular glaucoma developed in 11 eyes, usually during the first six months, and open-angle glaucoma developed in 16 eyes, usually after the five-year follow-up examination. Both types of glaucoma occurred almost exclusively in aphakic eyes. Cataracts developed in 75% of retained clear lenses. The vitreous cavities remained clear in 67% of the eyes, and the maculas were attached in 65% of the eyes 10 years following vitrectomy. Fundus neovascularization did not recur.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Blankenship
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Machemer
mesh_terms: D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000209:etiology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007499:Iris Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery; D012591:Scleral Buckling; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body