Combined Phacoemulsification, Vitrectomy and Endolaser Photocoagulation in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy and Cataract

Objective: To determine the outcomes of early vitrectomy and endolaser photocoagulation effects during phacoemulsification in cataractous eyes with diabetic retinopathy. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: Ophthalmology Department Unit-II, DUHS, Civil Hospital, Karachi, and Al-Noor Eye Clinic, Karachi, from February 2009 to December 2010. Methodology: Consecutive 54 patients with 7 - 15 years duration of type II diabetes with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and early proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) who had cataract grade I and II underwent vitrectomy, endolaser photocoagulation and phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. Best corrected visual acuity was main outcomes measure assessed till 6 months follow-up. Results: Out of 54 eyes, 32 patients were females and 22 were males. Majority 47 (87%) eyes gained significant (p < 0.001) improvement of best corrected visual acuity of four lines or better while 5 (9.3%) eyes retained stable visual acuity. In only 2 eyes, vision declined to 3/60 or less. Conclusion: Early vitrectomy with phacoemulsification in severe NPDR and early PDR patients, if assisted or augmented with endolaser photocoagulation, maximizes, early visual rehabilitation with less morbidity and may retard progression of retinopathy. (author)