[Evaluation of the usefulness of vitrectomy in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy].

The authors analyse the results of 146 operations of vitrectomy through the pars plana executed in cases of complications of diabetic retinopathy. In 50 eyes with prognostically very severe conditions (tractional retinal detachment, presence of central retinal holes, recurrent intraocular haemorrhages) vitrectomy was connected with an intra-bulbar injection of silicone oil. In the period of 6 months to 3 years after surgery the improvement of the visual acuity was attained in 96 eyes (66 p.c.). Intravitreal injection of the silicone oil increased the chance of reattachment of the retina and reduced the incidence of a postsurgical recurrent intraocular haemorrhage.