Acute onset of rubeosis iridis after diabetic vitrectomy can indicate peripheral traction retinal detachment

Acute onset or exacerbation of rubeosis iridis associated with peripheral retinal detachment after vitrectomy represents a rare but serious complication of advanced diabetic retinopathy that indicates a poor prognosis. The clinical features, surgical procedures, and anatomical and functional results for a series of 13 eyes presenting with this complication are reported. In addition to rubeosis iridis and peripheral retinal detachment, anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation (APH) was also present in 10 eyes. All eyes had undergone one or more previous vitrectomies for diabetic complications such as nonclearing vitreous hemorrhage and traction retinal detachment. Treatment modalities for iris neovascularization and peripheral retinal detachment included reattachment procedures with an encircling band, peripheral membrane peeling, and, if necessary, peripheral retinectomy. Peripheral coagulation therapy was performed in all eyes. Eight eyes received an intraocular silicone-oil tamponade. Early results (4 weeks post-surgery) showed regression or stabilization of rubeosis iridis in all eyes. Later results (mean, 9 months post-surgery) revealed nine eyes with stabilized anterior ocular neovascularization and reattachment of the retina. Four eyes were anatomic failures due to recurrent rubeosis iridis/AHP or traction retinal detachment, and three of them also developed ocular hypotony. None of the eyes has thus far been lost as a result of neovascular glaucoma or painful phthisis. Ambulatory vision was retained in ten eyes, but function was limited to a low level as a result of the underlying ischemic disease. Immediate reattachment surgery in combination with anterior/peripheral coagulation therapy was shown to be an effective measure for controlling iris neovascular activity in eyes afflicted with acute anterior ocular neovascularization.