Retinal Detachment Secondary to Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Twenty-nine patients representing 33 retinal detachments secondary to diabetic retinopathy were examined. Eighteen of the eyes had definite retinal breaks located in the posterior pole near the optic nervehead and were salvageable if the retinal break could be closed by surgery. In 15 eyes no retinal break could be found. Five of these eyes spontaneously reattached over a period of 6 to 14 months without treatment, one with extremely good visual return. All of the detachments appeared to be secondary to vitreous traction.