Visual and social benefits of vitreous surgery in diabetics. A long-term follow-up evaluation.
Eighty diabetics underwent vitreous microsurgery from 1977 to 1979 for severe vitreo-retinal disease. At follow-up examinations 5 to 9 years (mean 6.6 years) after surgery, 21 patients (26%) were deceased, and 8 subjects had been lost to re-examination. Among 51 patients (53 eyes), aged 28 to 71 years (mean 47 years), visual acuity increased to 0.1-1.0 in 28 eyes (53%) at 3 months after surgery. This visual improvement was also maintained in 28 eyes during 5 to 9 years; 13 eyes (25%) were then amaurotic. Diabetic retinopathy showed a remarkable regression after vitreous surgery, proliferations did not recur (except in 2 eyes following haemorrhage), and background retinopathy remained quiet. Personal interviews with 37 patients indicated substantial social benefits from vitreous surgery. Their working capacity had improved, from 3 subjects (8%) at work pre-operatively to 14 (38%) after surgery. The number of patients who could manage their own household duties had doubled after surgery.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000473:pathology