Posterior retinal holes secondary to diabetic retinopathy

Pars plana vitrectomies were performed on 85 diabetic eyes with preoperative posterior retinal holes. Six months following vitrectomy, 27 of the eyes had substantial visual improvement. Additional retinal holes were a frequent operative complication, occurring in 35 (41%) of the eyes. Of those postvitrectomy irides that could be visualized, 25 had rubeosis involving the peripheral iris or angle. Neovascular glaucoma occurred during the follow-up period in 18 eyes. The vitreous cavities were clear in 53 eyes, and the macula was attached in 47 (55%) of the eyes, but opacities of more anterior structures prevented visualization of the fundi in many cases.