[Surgeon's role in diabetic retinopathy]

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most frequent cause of blindness during the patient's economically active years. The probability of developing this disease increases with the number of diabetic patients in our country, as well as their survival. In general, DR progression is predictable, from minimum changes (barely detectable through ophthalmoscopy) to advanced damage that requires surgical treatment. However, in Mexico, its late detection frequently necessitates retinal surgery. Current resources regarding vitreous and retinal surgery have improved anatomic results in the treatment of DR. Among the most important of these are panoramic vision systems, high-speed cutting equipment, small-caliber microsurgical instruments, endophotocoagulation, adjuvants such as heavy liquids, silicon oil and angiogenesis inhibitors, which have been the topic of several recent studies.