[Results of vitrectomy for diabetic traction retinal detachment involving the macula; a comparison of six-month and three-year postoperative findings].

: Three-year follow-up examinations were performed on 45 cases that underwent pars plana vitrectomies for diabetic retinopathy complications from 1982 to 1983. All of these cases had traction retinal detachment involving the macula. Visual improvement was noted in 27 eyes (60%) and 11 eyes (24%) had worse visual acuity at 6 months after surgery. Final visual improvement was noted in 21 eyes (47%) at the there-year follow-up examinations. Five (11%) of the 45 cases had better visual acuity at the three-year examination than at six months, 18 (40%) had the same visual acuity, but 22 (49%) had poorer vision at the three-year examination. Out of those cases, 28 eyes (62%) had totally attached retina 6 months after operation and the results in those eyes were quite stable at three years. Of these, 19 (68%) had the same or better visual acuity at three years compared with six months. But if retinal detachment was present at 6 months, the prognosis was very poor at the three-year examination with a visual acuity of less than hand motions. Reattachment of the retina is most important to maintain good prognosis for surgical treatment for diabetic retinopathy with traction retinal detachment.