Intraocular human thrombin infusion in diabetic vitrectomies.

The effectiveness of intravitreal thrombin infusion during vitrectomy was prospectively evaluated in eight diabetic patients with persistent vitreous hemorrhages and severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy. A concentration of 80 units/ml of human thrombin diluted in BSS-plus infusion fluid was used. Bleeding time ranged between 2 and 15 seconds (mean, 5 seconds). The reduction of bleeding facilitated surgery. In five of the eight cases the vitreous was clear one day postoperatively. One month postoperatively six eyes had clear media. No additional postoperative intraocular inflammation developed. These results suggest that human thrombin causes less inflammation than bovine thrombin.