Comparison of Combined and Sequential Surgery for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A Single Surgeon Study

PURPOSE: To compare the results of combined and consecutive surgeries to treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy and cataract. METHODS: Retrospective comparative study. Forty-one patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were enrolled. Twenty-nine eyes for the combined surgery group and twelve eyes for the sequential group were included. All surgeries were performed by one surgeon. Phacoemulsification was performed using a clear cornea incision. The vitrectomy was performed using a 20-gauge vitreous cutter. RESULTS: The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and intra- and post-operative complications were the main outcome measures. In the combined surgery group, the BCVA increased in 18 (62.1%) eyes, while eight (27.6%) eyes remained stable and three (10.3%) eyes decreased. Postoperative complications included fibrinous exudation in nine eyes, macular edema in three eyes and vitreous hemorrhage in three eyes. In the sequential surgery group, the BCVA increased in seven (58.3%) eyes, remained the same in four (33.3%) eyes and was reduced in one (8.3%) eye. Postoperative complications included macular edema in two eyes, neovascular glaucoma in two eyes and vitreous hemorrhage in one eye. CONCLUSIONS: Both combined and sequential surgeries are safe and effective for treating PDR and cataracts. The combined surgery had a higher incidence of fibrinous exudation.