[Corneal epithelial complications after vitrectomy: a retrospective study].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the incidence, evolution and final visual outcome of corneal epithelial complications after vitrectomy in a consecutive series performed throughout a period of one year.


METHODS
195 consecutive medical records of patients vitrectomized in 2001 have been retrospectively reviewed. Patients were clinically evaluated the day after vitrectomy, during the first week, and then weekly for 3 months (minimum follow-up). Functional results have been established at the end of this period.


RESULTS
12 out of 195 eyes developed corneal epithelial complications after surgery (6.1%). Eight cases were diagnosed of persistent epithelial defect (4.1%), and four cases (2%) of necrotizing herpetic keratitis. Six out of 12 were diabetic. Corneal epithelial complications affected 10.5% of diabetic and 4.3% of non-diabetic patients (p=0.10). The majority of persistent epithelial defects healed without sequelae in less than two months. Herpetic keratitis required between 3 to 4 months to heal and caused corneal scarring in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Persistent corneal epithelial defects after vitrectomy are a relatively frequent complication, mainly in diabetic patients. Recurrence of herpetic keratitis must also be kept in mind. This finding has not been previously reported and needs further studies.
Chiambo
S
S
Instituto Universitario de Oftalmobiología Aplicada (IOBA), Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, España.
Baílez Fidalgo
C
C
Pastor Jimeno
J C
JC
Coco Martín
R M
RM
Rodríguez de la Rúa Franch
E
E
De la Fuente Salinero
M A
MA
Herreras Cantalapiedra
J M
JM
D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*