J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2006 Mar;47(3):374-380.

Evaluation of Bilateral Visual Function after Vitrectomy for Complications of Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

• Kim SK

Abstract

PURPOSE: The author evaluated the impact of vitreoretinal surgery for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) on bilateral visual function.
METHODS
Anatomic and visual acuity outcomes were reviewed by author for patients who underwent bilateral surgery for PDR. Bilateral visual function was evaluated using the American Medical Association (AMA) Guidelines for Disability scale to quantitate the impact of surgery on visual system disability.
RESULTS
There were 18 patients (36 eyes) who underwent vitrectomy for complications of PDR, and the overall anatomic success rate was 100%. Mean visual impairment of the study eyes and visual system according to AMA Guidelines for Disability decreased postoperatively by 22.4% points, and 25.7% points, respectively. A higher functional level of the bilateral visual system resulted postoperatively in 83.2% of all patients, according to eyes with better visual acuity.
CONCLUSIONS
Vitreoretinal surgery was associated with a reduction in bilateral visual disability and improved bilateral visual function in patients with PDR.

Keyword

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy; Visual function; Visual impairment; Vitrectomy

MeSH Terms

American Medical Association
Diabetic Retinopathy*
Humans
Vision Disorders
Visual Acuity
Vitrectomy*
Vitreoretinal Surgery