Comparison of Vitrectomy Alone and Combined Vitrectomy, Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

There have been concerns that there may be an increased incidence of iris neovascularization (NV) following lens removal in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In this study, we retrospectively compared vitrectomy alone and vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification (phacovitrectomy) and intraocular lens implantation regarding both complications and results. Fifty-three eyes for vitrectomy group and 31 eyes for phacovitrectomy group were included. Postoperative iris and angle NV were found in eight (15.1%) eyes in the first group and no (0%) eyes in the second. The incidence was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the phacovitrectomy group. The final vision gain of one or more lines was found in 17 (32.1%) and 21 (67.7%) eyes, respectively. There was significantly better vision improvement in the phacovitrectomy group. We consider the combined procedure to be useful as an alternative surgical treatment for patients with PDR and cataract formation.