The Rate of Neovascular Glaucoma following Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment

Purpose: To evaluate the rate and possible risk factors of the development of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in eyes with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for diabetic tractional retinal detachment (TRD). Methods: A retrospective review of 65 eyes from 55 patients who had PPV for diabetic TRD from 2007 to 2014 at the Retina Consultants of Alabama and University of Alabama School of Medicine. Exclusion criteria included history of glaucoma, iris neovascularization, previous vitrectomy, ocular hypertension, and other causes of NVG, such as vein occlusion and ocular ischemia syndrome. Results: The average age of patients studied was 49.8 years, and more than 70% of the eyes studied were affected by diabetes mellitus type 2. 1 (1.5%) of the 65 eyes developed NVG after PPV for diabetic TRD at 6 months, and 7 (10.8%) developed ocular neovascularization (ONV). None of the factors studied showed statistically significant differences between eyes that did not develop ONV to the eyes that did develop ONV. Overall, average best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from a logMAR of about 1 to 0.8 at 6 months, regardless of ONV. Our one eye with NVG had minimal BCVA improvement at 6 months. Conclusion: With no known risk factors, NVG is a very rare complication in eyes with PPV for diabetic TRD within the first six postoperative months, and BCVA improvement is possible for these eyes.