PREDICTING VISUAL OUTCOMES OF SECOND EYE VITRECTOMY FOR PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Purpose: To investigate predictive factors for visual outcome in the second operated eye of patients undergoing bilateral vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Clinical records of 55 patients undergoing bilateral vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy at the University Eye Hospital Ljubljana between January 2009 and December 2014 were examined retrospectively. Statistical analysis was performed to identify variables associated with good visual outcomes. Results: Mean preoperative visual acuity was 6/181 Snellen (1.48 +/- 0.47 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution pogMARD. The follow-up period after vitrectomy was at least 1 year and mean postoperative visual acuity improved to 6/31 Snellen (0.71 +/- 0.62 logMAR). On univariate analysis, variables predicting good postoperative vision (6/12 Snellen or better) were the following: absence of macular detachment (P = 0.009), previously performed full panretinal laser (P = 0.03), and good vision in the previously vitrectomized fellow eye (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, the absence of macular detachment (P = 0.001) and good vision in the previously vitrectomized fellow eye (P < 0.001) were both independently associated with good visual outcome. Conclusion: In patients undergoing second eye vitrectomy for complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the visual acuity of previously operated fellow eye and the presence of macular detachment in the eye due for vitrectomy may be strong independent predicting factors for visual outcome.