VITRECTOMY FOR DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS: A Pooled Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Using Modern Techniques and Equipment.

PURPOSE: To report updated clinical outcomes in subjects undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) using modern techniques and equipment for the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy-related complications. Pooled analysis of five randomized clinical trials conducted at the same institution and included both study and control subjects from the trials. METHODS: There were 943 subjects who prospectively underwent small-gauge PPV with antivascular endothelial growth factor pretreatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy-related complications and completed 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The visual acuity of the study population improved from median 2.00 (interquartile range 1.3, 2.3) at baseline to median 1.00 (interquartile range 0.5, 1.3) at 6 months. One hundred and eighty-four patients (19.5%) achieved 20/50 or better acuity, and 652 patients (69.1%) achieved 20/200 or better acuity at 6 months. The vision improved or remained stable in 901 patients (95.5%), and 11 patients (1.2%) developed no light perception at 6 months. Intraoperative complications occurred in 343 cases (36.4%), and 199 cases (21.1%) experienced a postoperative complication. The most common postoperative complication was vitreous hemorrhage in 124 cases (62.3% of all complications). Unplanned secondary PPV was necessary in 86 cases (9.1%). CONCLUSION: This study reports updated clinical outcomes in patients undergoing PPV for proliferative diabetic retinopathy-related complications which compares favorably with the age before small-gauge PPV and antivascular endothelial growth factor pretreatment.

SILICONE OIL VERSUS PERFLUOROPROPANE GAS TAMPONADE DURING VITRECTOMY FOR TRACTIONAL RETINAL DETACHMENT OR FIBROUS PROLIFERATION: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To compare vitreous substitution with silicone oil to perfluoropropane gas in proliferative diabetic retinopathy subjects undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for the treatment of tractional retinal detachment or extensive fibrous proliferation. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Three hundred and two proliferative diabetic retinopathy subjects with tractional retinal detachment or extensive fibrous proliferation requiring PPV were enrolled into the trial. Subjects were prospectively randomized into one of two vitreous substitution groups during PPV: Group A subjects underwent 1,000 centistoke silicone oil tamponade, whereas Group B subjects underwent 14% to 16% silicone oil to perfluoropropane gas tamponade. The principal outcome was the best-corrected visual acuity at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were postoperative complications and unplanned PPV during the 6-month trial interval. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-eight subjects were randomized to receive a vitreous substitute and completed 6-month follow-up. Group B had better best-corrected visual acuity, more subjects ending up with 0.4 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/50) or better visual acuity, and more subjects ending up with 1 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/200) or better visual acuity at 6 months compared with Group A (P < 0.001, P = 0.02, P < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, intraoperative or postoperative complications, or incidence of unplanned PPV between groups. CONCLUSION: This trial demonstrated that vitreous substitution with silicone oil to perfluoropropane gas resulted in better visual acuity at 6 months compared with silicone oil tamponade in proliferative diabetic retinopathy patients undergoing PPV for tractional retinal detachment or extensive fibrous proliferation. Surgeons should consider silicone oil to perfluoropropane gas tamponade as the first-line vitreous substitute in this patient population.

INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE PEELING DURING VITRECTOMY FOR DIABETIC VITREOUS HEMORRHAGE: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the benefits of internal limiting membrane peeling in proliferative diabetic retinopathy subjects undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of vitreous hemorrhage. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-eight proliferative diabetic retinopathy subjects undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage were enrolled into the trial. Patients were randomized into one of two cohorts: Group A patients underwent internal limiting membrane peeling, whereas Group B patients did not undergo internal limiting membrane peeling. The main outcome was best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were optical coherence tomography central macular thickness at 6 months, incidence of diabetic macular edema treatment during the postoperative trial period, and incidence of epiretinal membrane at 6 months. RESULTS: Two hundred and seven patients were randomized and completed 6 months follow-up. Group A had better best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months than Group B (P < 0.01). Group A had a lower incidence of diabetic macular edema treatment during the postoperative trial period and a lower incidence of epiretinal membrane at 6 months than Group B (P = 0.02 and P < 0.001, respectively). There was a trend toward lower central macular thickness on optical coherence tomography in Group A than Group B (P = 0.09). There were no significant differences in baseline details or complications intraoperatively or postoperatively between cohorts. CONCLUSION: This trial demonstrated better vision, fewer postoperative diabetic macular edema treatments, and a lower incidence of epiretinal membrane at 6 months when internal limiting membrane peeling was performed. Internal limiting membrane peeling may be considered a vital maneuver to perform in proliferative diabetic retinopathy subjects undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for vitreous hemorrhage.