Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among the working population in the developed world. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy increases with duration of diabetes, and nearly 100 percent of patients with type I diabetes and more than 60 percent of those with type II have some signs of diabetic retinopathy after 20 years.A number of approaches have proved to be useful in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, such as laser photocoagulation and tight systemic control of blood glucose, lipids, cholesterol and blood pressure. Unfortunately, in many patients the retinopathy progresses in spite of the best efforts on the part of the patient and of the ophthalmologist. Many such eyes may be helped by vitrectomy surgery, however.About 5 percent of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, as well as carefully selected patients with diabetic maculopathy, require pars plana vitrectomy, despite ostensibly adequate laser treatment and good glycemic and hypertensive control. This article reviews the current indications for vitreous surgery in severe diabetic retinopathy and strategies and techniques employed to minimize surgical complications.
Diabetic retinopathy; Retinal diseases
