Protective effect of vitrectomy on the course of diabetic retinopathy: A case report

Purpose: To hypothesize the protective role of vitrectomy on the natural course of diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Case report. Results: A 66-year-old lady with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus since the age of 10 was referred for evaluation. She received laser treatment in her left eye for proliferative diabetic retinopathy 6 years earlier, while her right eye underwent vitrectomy for retinal detachment 17 years before. Diabetic retinopathy was found to be substantially asymmetrical, as the vitrectomized right eye had only mild macular edema without significant vascular abnormalities, whereas the left eye had a complete confluent panretinal photocoagulation with advanced atrophic macular changes. Other reasons for this asymmetry, such as axial length disparity, carotid circulation impairment, or history of branch retinal vein occlusion, were not identified. Conclusions: Vitreous removal, performed for a reason other than diabetic retinopathy, may inhibit the retinal complications often associated with longstanding diabetes. Further clinical studies should be considered to ascertain such evidence.