Long-term Visual Results of Vitrectomy in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose : This study investigated the long-term anatomic and visual results in patients having vitrectomies for proliferative diabetic retinopathy complications by comparing the results of postoperative 6 months and the results of 3 years or later. Subject and Method : Medical records of 139 eyes which had undergone pars plana vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy complications and had been followed more than 3 years were reviewed. Result : Eighty eight of 139 eyes (63.3%) showed better visual acuity at 6 months postoperatively than at baseline, 24 eyes (17.3%) had same visual acuities, and 27 eyes (19.4%) had poorer vision. At the last follow-up vision improved in 90 eyes (64.7%), remained same in 23 eyes (16.5%), and decreased in 26 eyes (18.7%). Compared with the visual acuity of postoperative 6 months, vision of the last follow-up was better in 22 eyes (15.9%), same in 94 eyes (67.6%), and poorer in 23 eyes (16.5%). Of 112 eyes which had anatomic success at the 6 months postoperatively, 99 eyes (88.4%) remained to have anatomic success at the last follow-up. Conclusion : In patients undergoing vitrectomies for proliferative diabetic retinopathy complications, postoperative visual acuity and anatomic success at the 6 months were maintained at the longer follow-up of 3.7 years in average.