Vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Objective To investigate the outcome of vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).Methods A retrospective study of 35 eyes in 32 patients with PDR treated with vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation was conducted.Stage Ⅴ PDR was diagnosed in 19 eyes,and stage Ⅵ in 16 eyes.Preoperative visual acuity ranged from light perception to 0.2 (median,counting fingers), visual acuity equal to or greater than 0.1 presented in only 5 eyes (14％).All surgeries were performed under local anesthesia, with phacoemulsification prior to vitrectomy.The follow-up period was 3 months or more.Number was counted,and expressed with percentage.Results IOLs were implanted successfully into capsular bag.Silicone oil or long-acting gas was used in 15 eyes.Intraoperative complications included miosis in 4 eyes (11％) and a few intracapsular residues of the lens cortex in 1 eye (3％). Postoperative complications included recurrent vitreous hemorrhage in 1 eye (3％) and iris posterior synechia in 4 eyes (11％).The retina was still attached in all eyes at the final follow-up visit,with visual acuity ranging from 0.01 to 0.6 (median,0.3).Postoperative visual acuity equal to or greater than 0.1 was achieved in 34 eyes (97％).Conclusion Vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation for the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy is effective with better safety.Patients may benefit from an early visual recovery. Key words: Diabetes mellitus,type 2;  Diabetic Retinopathy;  Vitrectomy;  Phacoemulsification; Lenses, intraocular