Surgical Management and Techniques

Abstract

Technical advancements have substantially extended the indications for surgery in diabetic retinopathy (DR) during the last 40 years, from the traditional indications including non-clearing vitreous hemorrhage, traction retinal detachment (RD), and traction-rhegmatogenous RD, to epiretinal membrane (ERM), vitreomacular traction, diffuse macular edema, neovascular glaucoma, and anterior hyaloid fibrovascular proliferation. The goals of vitreoretinal surgery in DR are multiple: clearing media opacities, release of traction (anteroposterior and/or tangential), segmentation and/or removal of traction bands, peeling of ERMs, hemostasis, laser photocoagulation, and tamponade of retinal breaks with gas or silicone oil. The best management is achieved with integrated care provided by physicians with expertise in medical management of diabetes and surgical care of DR. In this chapter, the indications for surgery, preoperative considerations, surgical techniques, and complications, together with their management, will be discussed.