[Pars plana vitrectomy in proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Long-term results and prognostic parameters in diabetics with surgery 1983-1989].

The authors evaluated the long-term results and prognostic parameters of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 235 eyes of 187 diabetics operated between Jan. 1 1983 and June 30 1989. In 117 eyes PPV was combined with implantation of silicon oil. During an average observation period of 27 months PPV improved markedly the visual acuity of 125 eyes (53.2%), however a visual acuity of 0.1 or better acuity was recorded only in 53 eyes (22.6%). The number of successfully operated eyes declined with the length of the observation period from 67.7% after three months to 50% after 60 months. Active vascular proliferation, iatrogenic fissures of the retina, implantation of silicone oil and postoperative development of rubeosis were statistically significant adverse factors from the prognostic aspect. With the development of new surgical procedures the importance of different prognostic factors changes partly.