Significance of various systemic and ocular parameters in the long-term prognosis after diabetic vitrectomy

The presence or absence of retinal detachment, especially detachment of the macula, was the most critical parameter predicting visual outcome, and long duration of detachment worsened the prognosis (P = 0.0084). In contrast, the time interval from vitreous haemorrhage to surgery did not associate with the long-term visual outcome. Pre-operative visual acuity of counting fingers 1 m or better was associated with favourable visual outcome (P = 0.0032). Other pre- or per-operative parameters (e.g. aphakia, iris rubeosis, extent of photocoagulation, retinal breaks) did not associate with visual prognosis significantly. Significant association between general parameters and visual outcome was found only in the group of traction retinal detachment where loss of vision was related to shorter duration of diabetes (P = 0.0213), and shorter duration of background retinopathy (P = 0.0300), and proliferative retinopathy (P = 0.0072).