[Vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy].
OBJECTIVE
We reviewed the outcome of vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) and evaluated factors affecting the final visual outcome.


METHODS
We performed primary vitreous surgery for proliferative DR in 148 eyes of 118 cases in three years from July 1999 to August 2002. All cases were followed for at least 3 months. We excluded vitreous surgery for diabetic maculopathy. Ages ranged from 24 to 80 (mean 57) years. Average postoperative follow-up period was 15 months. We evaluated the stage of DR by the new Fukuda classification.


RESULTS
Preoperative classification consisted of BIV (54 eyes, 36%), BV (94 eyes, 64%), and BV + VI (36 eyes). Final visual acuity was improved by 2 lines or more in 102 eyes (69%), remained unchanged in 28 eyes (19%), and decreased by two lines or more in 18 eyes (12%). There was a statistical correlation between preoperative visual acuity and final visual acuity. Earlier stages of DR had better visual outcome. Compared to the surgical outcome in the 1990s, the percentage of worsened eyes decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitrectomy for proliferative DR may be beneficial if performed in the earlier stages of DR or if the patient has better visual acuity before vitrectomy.
Higuchi
Akiko
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Kansai Medical University, Moriguchi, Japan.
Yamada
Haruhiko
H
Kawai
Emi
E
Fujiseki
Yoshito
Y
Wada
Mitsumasa
M
Kiuchi
Katsuji
K
Uchida
Yoshiko
Y
Minamino
Keizo
K
Matsumura
Miyo
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy