Modern optimizing techniques of surgical treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Aim. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of microinvasive vitrectomy and three-dimensional digital imaging in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Methods. The clinical treatment results were studied in 62 patients (62 eyes) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy complicated by tractional retinal detachment who underwent vitreoretinal surgery with the use of microinvasive techniques and three-dimensional digital imaging. There were 38 (61%) women, 24 (39%) men, mean age 57±5.2 years. The duration of diabetes mellitus was 6 to 13 years (an average of 11.7 years). Of the 62 patients, 11 had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and 51 had non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

Results. Final anatomical result (the elimination of the zones of proliferation and adhesion of the retina) was reached in 59/62 (95.1%) of the eyes: in 54/62 (87%) eyes after the first intervention, in 8/62 eyes after additional surgical intervention. The maximum corrected visual acuity increased in 55/62 (88.7%) eyes from 0.01±0.12 to 0.22±0.11 (p <0.05); in 3/62 (4.8%) eyes remained the same; 4/62 (6.5%) eyes had visual impairment. Complications were diagnosed in 14 (22.6%) of the eyes: retinal tears (10), hemophthalmus (2), subchoroid hemorrhage (1), detachment of the choroid (1). Postoperative control of intraocular pressure demonstrated the following: 36 (58.1%) eyes had normal intraocular pressure (11–22 mm Hg), 20 (32.3%) — increased intraocular pressure (≥22 mm Hg), 6 (9.7%) — reduced intraocular pressure (≤10 mm Hg). In the postoperative period (up to 1 month after surgery) additional surgical interventions were performed on 8/62 (12.9%) eyes.

Conclusion. In patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the use of microinvasive vitreoretinal technologies and digital imaging system provide high anatomical (95.1% of patients) and functional results (88.7% of patients).