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[Outcome after vitrectomy in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and dense vitreous opacities].

BACKGROUND: In some cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment dense vitreous opacities can delay the diagnosis and prevent a scleral buckling procedure. In these cases a primary vitrectomy is necessary. These results of vitrectomy are of current interest, because intra- and postoperative complications are comparable to the group of patients with retinal detachment and clear media, in which primary vitrectomy is discussed today as an alternative method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After redetachment and trauma were excluded, we reviewed the charts of 40 patients (40 eyes), who underwent vitrectomy and gas endotamponade for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and dense vitreous opacities. In 31 cases vitreous hemorrhage and in 9 cases other dense non inflammatory vitreous opacities were present. Intraoperatively detected PVR (1), giant tear (1) and retinal holes located at the posterior pole (1) were excluded. The remaining 37 eyes were examined retrospectively. The median follow-up time was 12 months. RESULTS: In 32 of 37 eyes the retina was reattached after the first vitrectomy (86.5%). In 5 eyes a redetachment occurred, in 3 of them caused by PVR. After revitrectomy successful reattachment could be achieved in all cases. As intraoperative complications iatrogenic retinal break formation could be observed in 3 cases and lens-touch in 1 case. Postoperatively secondary tears in attached retina developed in 2 cases, in 1 case an arterial branch occlusion and in 1 case a Macular-Pucker. During the follow-up period a cataract developed in 12 of the 21 phacic patients. CONCLUSIONS: The reattachment rate of primary vitrectomy in eyes with retinal detachment and associated dense vitreous opacities is slightly lower compared to the rate of scleral buckling procedures in cases of retinal detachment with clear media. Comparable good or even better results may be expected for primary vitrectomy in cases of retinal detachment without vitreous opacities. Since the risk of intra- and postoperative complications in our group of patients is small it is promising also for primary vitrectomy in cases with good view on the fundus.

Adolescent↗

Vitrectomy in the management of uveitis.

OBJECTIVE: To review the indications for vitrectomy in uveitis cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Charts of patients seen at the uveitis clinic of the Jules Gonin Eye Hospital from January 1993 to August 1998 and who had undergone vitrectomy were reviewed. Patients with infectious uveitis occurring within three months after intraocular cataract surgery were excluded. The types of uveitis were recorded and indications for vitrectomy were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 630 patients were examined at the uveitis clinic. Fifty-one of these patients (51 eyes, 8.1%) were referred for vitrectomy and were included in this study. Vitrectomy was performed for three reasons: 1) to treat the complications of uveitis (90%), including vitreous opacification in 35 eyes (69%), retinal detachment in seven eyes (14%), epimacular membrane in seven eyes (14%), and dense opacification of the posterior capsule after cataract surgery in six eyes (12%)(the mean delay between uveitis and vitrectomy in this group was 8.4 years); 2) for diagnostic purposes in 19 eyes (37%); and 3) to remove confined infectious foci in 16 eyes (31%) and allow a thorough intraocular distribution of antibiotics. Visual acuity improved in 41 patients (80.4%), remained unchanged in three (5.8%), and decreased in seven (13.7%) because of secondary or persistent retinal detachment or cystoid macular edema. CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy was indicated to treat the complications of uveitis, to provide vitreous for diagnostic purposes, and to allow a better diffusion of intraocular antibiotics. Long-standing uveitis did not seem to be influenced by vitrectomy.

Adolescent↗

The cost-effectiveness of early vitrectomy for the treatment of vitreous hemorrhage in diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic vitrectomy has been found to be efficacious for the treatment of vitreous hemorrhage secondary to diabetic retinopathy. The purpose of this study is to determine the cost-effectiveness of early vitrectomy for the management of vitreous hemorrhage secondary to diabetic retinopathy. The analysis was performed from the perspective of a third-party insurer. A cost-utility Markov model was used to determine the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained from early versus deferral of vitrectomy. The model used 2-, 3-, and 4-year results from the Diabetic Retinopathy Vitrectomy Study, patient-based utilities, life expectancy data, and incremental medical costs. Early vitrectomy was the dominant strategy and was associated with a gain of 0.41 QALYs over the 57-year expected life span for a hypothetical patient. The cost per additional QALY gained from early vitrectomy treatment was $1910 (US$ discounted at 3%). When sensitivity analyses were performed by varying efficacy probabilities and utilities across their 95% confidence intervals, early treatment was always the dominant strategy. Additionally, even at the extreme sensitivity values, the cost per QALY of early vitrectomy treatment remained under $10,000. Overall, early vitrectomy for the treatment of vitreous hemorrhage secondary to diabetic retinopathy is highly cost-effective.

Adult↗

Pars plana vitrectomy: comparison of three techniques for the treatment of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcome of three vitrectomy techniques in the treatment of diabetic vitreous hemorrhage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group included 38 patients (38 eyes) with diabetic vitreous hemorrhage. Three-port pars plana vitrectomy was used in 20 eyes, unimanual vitrectomy with indirect ophthalmoscopy in 10 eyes, and sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy in 8 eyes. Main outcome measures were operative time, preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and intraocular pressure, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 66 minutes for three-port vitrectomy, 35 minutes for indirect vitrectomy, and 40 minutes for 25-gauge vitrectomy. Mean duration of follow-up was 26 months (range = 5 to 43 months). All three techniques successfully treated the vitreous hemorrhage, with similar best-corrected visual acuity outcome and similar complication rates. A greater tendency for hypotony on the first postoperative day was observed in the 25-gauge vitrectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: The three major techniques for treating vitreous hemorrhage are similarly effective and yield similar outcomes. The specific technique used should be selected on the basis of the clinical status of the patient and the skills of the surgeon.

Adult↗

Lensectomy-vitrectomy indications and techniques in cataract surgery.

Lensectomy-vitrectomy is the removal of the crystalline lens through a transscleral retrociliary incision (usually the pars plana) under clinical conditions in which the vitreous gel has to be partially or totally removed. It was designed in the early 1970s at the onset of modern vitreous surgery. The vitreous cutter was used to remove the lens and the vitreous (lensectomy as vitrectomy). With the development of small incision cataract surgery, foldable IOL, the term lensectomy-vitrectomy also applies to separate incisions in one procedure combining lens and vitreous surgery. With this in mind, it covers several very different situations from neonatal congenital cataracts to adult or senile-associated diseases. This type of surgery is widely accepted, and the main controversy is about the consequences of neonatal surgery and the age of IOL implantation in uni- or bilateral congenital cataracts. My personal work with laser flare and cellmetry demonstrates that pars plana vitrectomy alone creates very little trauma to the blood-aqueous barrier, as can be checked by the anterior chamber level of proteins (ie, flare). The postoperative flare in pars plana vitrectomy alone is very close to the preoperative level. Therefore, the association of pars plana vitrectomy and lens surgery should not be more traumatizing to the eye than lens surgery alone. This review will first report the consequences of neonatal lensectomy-vitrectomy to the eye. Subsequent indications for surgery and implantation will be discussed as well as special indications and complications in congenital cataracts, dislocated nucleus in cataract operation, cataract and associated vitreoretinal disorders in diabetes, and giant retinal tears and removal of the lens during vitrectomy.

Adult↗

[Vitrectomy without scleral buckle versus ab-externo approach for pseudophakic retinal detachment: comparative retrospective study].

PURPOSE: Retinal detachment (RD) is a major complication of cataract surgery, which can be treated by either primary vitrectomy without indentation or the scleral buckling procedure. The aim of this study is to compare the results of these two techniques for the treatment of pseudophakic RD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The charts of 40 patients (40 eyes) treated with scleral buckling for a primary pseudophakic RD were retrospectively studied and compared to the charts of 32 patients (32 eyes) treated with primary vitrectomy without scleral buckle during the same period by the same surgeons. To obtain comparable samples, patients with giant retinal tears, vitreous hemorrhage, and severe preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) were not included. Minimal follow-up was 6 months. RESULTS: The primary success rate was 84% in the vitrectomy group and 82.5% in the ab-externo group. Final anatomical success was observed in 100% of cases in the vitrectomy group and in 95% of cases in the ab-externo group. Final visual acuity was 0.5 or better in 44% of cases in the vitrectomy group and 37.5% in the ab-externo group. The duration of the surgery was significantly lower in the ab-externo group, whereas the hospital stay tended to be lower in the vitrectomy group. In the vitrectomy group, postoperative PVR developed in 3 eyes and new or undetected breaks were responsible for failure of the initial procedure in 2 eyes. CONCLUSION: Primary vitrectomy appears to be as effective as scleral buckling procedures for the treatment of pseudophakic RD.

Aged↗

[Long-term results of vitrectomy in children and adolescents].

PURPOSE: Assessment of vitrectomy in the treatment of children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated the treatment of 44 children between the ages of 8 and 17 who underwent vitrectomy from January 1991 to January 1996. In 35 eyes indication for vitrectomy was complicated intraocular trauma, in 6 eyes Toxocara canis infection, in 2 eyes idiopathic vitreous hemorrhage and in eye complication due to diabetes. The mean follow-up period of study was 15 months. RESULTS: The anatomic success category included eyes with attached retinas and a final visual acuity above 1/50 which was achieved in 85% of operated eyes. Within this group 50% of the eyes had a final visual acuity of 5/50 or better. Anatomic and functional success were stable for a period of 12 months after vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Vitrectomy is the primary method of treatment for complicated intraocular trauma in children. 2. Through vitrectomy we achieved functional success which facilitated visual rehabilitation after ocular trauma. 3. Vitrectomy in children and adolescents have fewer complications when compared to vitrectomy in adults.

Adolescent↗

Vitrectomy in sickling retinopathy: report of five cases.

The unique problems encountered in sickle patients include the need to remove peripheral vitreous if perfusing sea fans-which can bleed after vitrectomy-are present at the time of surgery. However, peripheral vitrectomy is riskier than central vitrectomy alone. If visualization of the sea fans is sufficient, it is safer to close the sea fans prior to vitrectomy in order to obviate the need for peripheral vitrectomy; then, only central vitrectomy is performed. When sea fans cannot be closed prior to vitrectomy, peripheral vitreous is removed to allow early photocoagulation of the sea fans before they bleed again. Four case presentations illustrate these principles. Vitrectomy relieved severe vitreous traction that complicated retinal detachment in the fifth patient, thereby eliminating the need for a tight encircling structure, which can be poorly tolerated in patients with SC hemoglobin.

Adult↗

Vitrectomy in penetrating ocular trauma: an experimental study using rabbits.

To study the value and the proper timing of vitrectomy in cases of ocular trauma involving the posterior segment, 24 rabbit eyes were traumatized by introducing a steel foreign body and autogenous blood into the vitreous. Twelve eyes underwent vitrectomy, 6 in the first week after trauma ("early") and 6 in the fourth week ("late"). The other 12 eyes, which underwent removal of the foreign body but not vitrectomy, served as controls. Traction retinal detachment did not develop in the 6 early-vitrectomy eyes, but it did occur before vitrectomy in 4 of the 6 eyes of the late-vitrectomy group and in 6 of the 12 control eyes. Iatrogenic cataract and retinal breaks were twice as frequent in the late as in the early group. The data seem to favor early vitrectomy in eyes with posterior-segment trauma. However, in routine clinical practice we advise prompt primary repair and exploration to evaluate the extent of posterior-segment damage, and vitrectomy within 14 days after injury.

Animals↗

Diabetes and postoperative endophthalmitis in the endophthalmitis vitrectomy study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there was a different response to vitrectomy and tap/biopsy with or without systemic antibiotic treatment in the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study and whether the signs and symptoms of endophthalmitis differ between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. DESIGN: A multicenter clinical trial in which patients with acute post-cataract extraction endophthalmitis were randomly assigned in a 2 x 2 factorial design to vitrectomy or tap/biopsy, in each case with or without intravenous antibiotics, and followed up for 9 months. Outcome measures included visual acuity assessed in standardized fashion. RESULTS: Fifty-eight of 420 study patients had diabetes. Diabetic patients had slightly worse vision and ocular media at the baseline assessment. Only 39% of diabetic patients compared with 55% of nondiabetic patients achieved 20/40 final vision. Both diabetic and nondiabetic patients with initial light perception (LP)-only vision had better visual results with immediate vitrectomy. For those with better than LP baseline vision, patients with diabetes achieved visual acuity of 20/40 more often with vitrectomy (57%) than with tap/biopsy (40%), but this difference was not statistically significant. Patients without diabetes did equally well with vitrectomy or tap/biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with better than LP vision, tap/biopsy is appropriate for those without diabetes. A clinical trial of a sufficient number of diabetic patients with better than LP vision is necessary to determine the best management for this group. At present, initial vitrectomy or tap/biopsy are reasonable approaches for diabetic patients with better than LP vision.

Adult↗

Dynamic intraocular pressure measurements during vitrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To directly measure dynamic intraocular pressure (IOP) during vitrectomy and to determine whether disposable pressure transducers placed in the infusion line can indirectly measure with accuracy the dynamic IOP during vitrectomy. METHODS: Experimental clinical study of 10 patients undergoing vitrectomy. Dynamic IOP was sampled via an extra pars plana incision with a catheter transducer equipped to measure direct IOP during vitrectomy by attaching a metal flange near the pressure-sensing tip. Disposable blood pressure transducers were placed in the infusion tubing fluid path to determine the IOP by indirect means. During various maneuvers of vitrectomy including air-fluid exchange and gas-forced infusion, pressure measurements were taken simultaneously from the indwelling pressure transducer and the disposable blood pressure sensors in the infusion line. RESULTS: The directly measured IOP varied between 0 and 120 mm Hg during vitrectomy. During fluid flow, the indirectly measured IOP, calculated from the infusion line pressures, accurately corresponded with the directly measured IOP. CONCLUSIONS: Closed vitrectomy causes wide fluctuations in IOP. The IOP can be accurately measured during fluid flow with inline sensors.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of microbiological diagnostic techniques in postoperative endophthalmitis in the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the data for cultures and Gram stains prospectively collected by protocol in the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study. DESIGN: Cultures of aqueous, undiluted vitreous, and (for patients who underwent vitrectomy) vitrectomy cassette fluid obtained from 420 patients were prepared on chocolate agar, in thioglycolate broth, and on Sabouraud dextrose agar; Gram stains of the aqueous and undiluted vitreous were made. Criteria were devised to distinguish true pathogens (confirmed positive cultures) from contaminants. SETTING: Private and university-based retina-vitreous practices and corresponding microbiology laboratories. RESULTS: Compared with the aqueous, undiluted vitreous produced a higher percentage of confirmed positive cultures and higher colony counts on chocolate agar and was more frequently the only source of a positive culture from the eye. Nevertheless, the aqueous and vitrectomy cassette fluid were the only source of a positive culture from the eye in 4.2% and 8.9% of eyes, respectively. The overall yields of chocolate agar and thioglycolate broth were similar. A positive Gram stain from the aqueous or undiluted vitreous was highly predictive of a positive culture from the eye, but a negative Gram stain had little predictive value for the culture result. The overall rate of laboratory-confirmed infection was not statistically significantly higher in the vitrectomy group than in the tap or biopsy group. CONCLUSIONS: The vitreous was a richer source of positive cultures and high colony counts than was the aqueous, either because it is more supportive of bacterial growth or because a somewhat larger inoculum of the vitreous than of aqueous could be obtained. The result of Gram stain should not determine the choice of antibiotic drugs in the treatment of endophthalmitis. Vitrectomy, with culture of the vitrectomy cassette fluid, did not produce significantly more positive cultures than tap or biopsy material, and the procedure should not be performed to improve the microbiological yield.

Aqueous Humor↗

Ocular fluorescein kinetics before and after vitrectomy on swine.

PURPOSE: To study the quantitative effects of vitrectomy on fluorescein transport kinetics across the ocular barriers. METHODS: Thirty-six domestic swine were used in this study. Twenty anesthetized swine were given a standardized fluorescein intravenous injection immediately after unilateral vitrectomy. This was followed by one single central sample aspiration from the vitreous and the anterior chamber of both eyes in individual animals at increasing intervals up to 24 h after the injection. Fluorescein concentrations in the samples were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Eight swine underwent unilateral vitrectomy followed by anterior chamber and vitreous fluorophotometry on both eyes 1 month later. The fluorescein concentrations determined using this method were followed for 24 h. Similar examinations were performed in a control group of eight swine that did not undergo vitrectomy. Anterior chamber, vitreous, and plasma fluorescein concentration/time courses were analyzed kinetically by iterative nonlinear regression analysis. RESULTS: The barrier surrounding the anterior chamber of the eye was immediately impaired after vitrectomy, as evidenced by an increased area under the fluorescein concentration versus time curve, but the transport kinetics were restored within 1 month after surgery. The blood-retinal barrier was, however, persistently altered following vitrectomy. Transport rate and extent of drug penetration into the vitreous were increased, while drug elimination from the vitreous remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Vitrectomy led to persistent kinetic fluorescein transport changes in the blood-retinal barrier resulting in faster and increased drug penetration to the vitreous, whereas similar alterations in the anterior chamber barrier transport were only transitory.

Animals↗

Perfluorocarbon perfused vitrectomy: animal studies.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and advantages of using perfluorocarbon liquid (PCL) perfusion to remove vitreous during suction-cutting vitrectomy in rabbit and pig eyes. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Balanced salt solution (BSS) was replaced by PCL perfusion during experimental vitrectomy. Oxygenated or nonoxygenated PCL was used in a recycling or a nonrecycling system. Recycling was achieved by two systems: a manual recycling system or a closed-loop system. The experiments in this study consisted of: an in vitro solubility observation, safety and feasibility of vitrectomy in rabbit eyes, effectiveness of vitrectomy with equal vitrectomy time in rabbit eyes, and retinal stability and pigment and blood dispersion in porcine eyes. Toxicity was assessed by a complete ophthalmic examination, endothelial cell count, electroretinography, and histopathology. RESULTS: Vitreous, blood, and pigments were immiscible in PCL. Manual recycling required less amounts of PCL than nonrecycling (15 vs 25 cc). Oxygenated and nonoxygenated PCL were not toxic. Perfluorocarbon liquid infusion removed more vitreous than balanced salt solution in a 3-minute vitrectomy time using the same settings on the vitrectomy machine. The PCL infusion in porcine eyes stabilized the retina and isolated vitreous cavity from pigment and blood and maintained a clear vitreous cavity. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that perfusion of PCL can be used to remove vitreous with a suction-cutting probe in rabbit and pig eyes. Retinal stability and isolation of the vitreous cavity at the time of vitreous removal along with PCL immiscibility and its specific gravity suggest that PCL has a potential clinical use as an irrigating solution to remove vitreous.

Acetates↗

LXII Edward Jackson lecture: open angle glaucoma after vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To present data and an hypothesis for the late development of open angle glaucoma (OAG) after vitrectomy. DESIGN: A retrospective observational case series. METHODS: The records of 453 eyes that had undergone vitrectomy were reviewed for postoperative OAG. Eyes with confounding factors were excluded. Sixty-eight eyes of 65 patients that underwent routine vitrectomy were followed for a mean of 56.9 months (range, seven to 192 months). For the main outcome measures, patients were classified into three groups: patients with suspected glaucoma, patients in whom glaucoma developed after the operation, and patients with pre-existing glaucoma. RESULTS: In glaucoma suspects, the mean intraocular pressure was significantly higher in the operated eye compared with the fellow eye (P = .0001). In eyes with new onset glaucoma, 23 of 34 eyes (67.6%) had it in the vitrectomized eye only. In phakic eyes, the time interval between vitrectomy and the development of glaucoma (mean, 45.95 months) was significantly longer than eyes that were nonphakic at the time of vitrectomy (mean, 18.39 months; P = .0115). When the interval between cataract surgery in phakic eyes to the development of glaucoma was compared with the interval from vitrectomy to glaucoma diagnosis in the nonphakic group, the difference was not statistically significant. In eyes with glaucoma before the operation, the mean number of antiglaucoma medications that were required to control the intraocular pressure was significantly higher in the vitrectomized eye, compared with the fellow eye (2.9 medications +/- 1.2 vs 2.0 medications +/- 1.4; P = .0215; n = 14). CONCLUSION: There is an increased risk of OAG after vitrectomy. The presence of the lens may be protective. In established OAG before the operation, the number of antiglaucoma medications may increase after surgery. Oxidative stress is hypothesized to have a role in the pathogenesis.

Adolescent↗

Persistent secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor into the vitreous cavity in proliferative diabetic retinopathy after vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: Neovascular glaucoma is a frequent complication of vitrectomy performed to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). We assessed the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the vitreous fluid obtained during vitrectomy and at postoperative fluid-air exchange. METHODS: We measured VEGF levels in vitreous samples from 17 eyes of 15 patients with PDR during vitrectomy and fluid samples obtained during fluid-air exchange 5 to 36 days postoperatively. Six of the 17 eyes had iris neovascularization after vitrectomy. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels also were measured in the vitreous fluid obtained from 8 eyes with a macular hole during vitrectomy and postoperative fluid-air exchange. We measured the plasma VEGF levels in all patients. RESULTS: The mean VEGF levels in 17 eyes with PDR were 1162.3+/-173.2 pg/ml in the vitreous samples and 1180.4+/-182.8 pg/ml in the postoperative fluid samples. The mean plasma VEGF level was 116.1+/-10.2 pg/ml in eyes with PDR, and the mean plasma VEGF level was 118.5+/-15.2 pg/ml in patients with a macular hole. The mean VEGF levels were 96.9+/-11.5 pg/ml in the vitreous samples and 73.9+/-12.3 pg/ml in the fluid samples in eyes with a macular hole. CONCLUSIONS: A high VEGF level was maintained in the vitreous cavity after vitrectomy for PDR. The VEGF level in eyes with PDR was 10 times higher than that in the plasma. The results suggest that there is persistent secretion of VEGF into the vitreous cavity even after vitrectomy for PDR.

Adult↗

Optical coherence tomography for evaluating diabetic macular edema before and after vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To report the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for evaluation of diffuse diabetic macular edema (DME) before and after vitrectomy. DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: A retrospective study was made of 15 consecutive eyes of 13 patients that had vitrectomy for diffuse DME and OCT preoperatively and postoperatively. In seven eyes of six patients (group 1), vitrectomy was performed because of vitreomacular traction observed on biomicroscopy or OCT. In the other eight eyes of seven patients (group 2), vitrectomy was performed for DME not responsive to laser photocoagulation, with no vitreomacular traction on biomicroscopy or OCT. RESULTS: Mean +/- standard deviation (SD) follow-up after vitrectomy was 18 +/- 10 months (range, 6 to 33 months). In group 1, mean +/- SD retinal thickness decreased significantly from 661 +/- 181 microm preoperatively to 210 +/- 32 microm at the end of follow-up (P =.018). Median best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 20/100 before surgery (range, 20/250 to 20/50) to 20/80 at the end of follow-up (range, 20/250 to 20/25; P =.046). In one eye in group 1, vitreomacular traction was only observed on OCT and not on biomicroscopy. In group 2, mean +/- SD retinal thickness decreased from 522 +/- 103 microm preoperatively to 428 +/- 121 microm at the end of follow-up (P =.2). Median BCVA was 20/100 before vitrectomy (range, 20/320 to 20/63) and 20/200 at the end of follow-up (range, 20/250 to 20/63; P =.78). CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy was beneficial in eyes with diffuse DME combined with vitreomacular traction but not in eyes without traction. Optical coherence tomography allowed diagnosis of subtle vitreomacular traction and provided precise preoperative and postoperative assessments of macular thickness.

Adult↗

Early vitrectomy and endolaser photocoagulation in patients with type I diabetes with severe vitreous hemorrhage.

PURPOSE: To determine if adjunctive endolaser photocoagulation has further improved the outcome of early vitrectomy for severe vitreous hemorrhage in young patients with type I insulin-dependent diabetes. METHOD: The authors reviewed clinical records and fundus photographs of all primary diabetic vitrectomies performed at the Yale Eye Center between July 1986 and June 1993. Only young patients with type I diabetes who underwent vitrectomy within 6 months of vitreous hemorrhage were included. RESULTS: Of 197 vitrectomies for diabetic retinopathy, 12 eyes of ten patients met the Diabetic Retinopathy Vitrectomy Study Group criteria. Patients ranged in age from 24 to 29 years (mean, 27.3 years) and had 11 to 21 years (mean, 17.2 years) of history of diabetes. Preoperative visual acuity was 5/200 in seven eyes, 2/200 in three eyes, hand motions in one eye, and light perception in one eye. The duration of vitreous hemorrhage was approximately 1 month in two eyes, 1 to 3 months in five eyes, and 3 to 6 months in five eyes. Neovascularization was documented in 12/12 eyes. Preoperatively, all patients had received panretinal photocoagulation with 1937 to 5328 burns (mean, 4126). Postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 to 38 months (mean, 24.6 months). Best-corrected postoperative visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 7 eyes (58.33%) and 20/70 or better in 11 eyes (91.66%). Neovascularization involuted in 11/12 eyes and remained so till the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Patients with type I diabetes with severe vitreous hemorrhage benefit from early endolaser photocoagulation combined with current vitrectomy techniques. The authors' findings are consistent with those of the Diabetic Retinopathy Vitrectomy Study Group, and patients can expect both improved visual acuity and anatomic success.

Adult↗