New viscodissection instrument for use with microincisional vitrectomy in the treatment of diabetic tractional retinal detachments.

OBJECTIVE

To report on the results of the surgical management of diabetic tractional retinal detachments using 25-gauge vitrectomy and a newly developed viscodissection instrument.

DESIGN

Single-surgeon, noncomparative, consecutive case series of 30 eyes with severe diabetic tractional retinal detachment in patients who underwent viscodissection-assisted 25-gauge vitrectomy using the viscodissection instrument.

RESULTS

Median preoperative visual acuity was 20/400. Median follow-up was 170 days. All retinas were attached at last follow-up. Median postoperative visual acuity was 20/70. Visual acuity improved by 2 or more lines in 17 eyes and remained stable in 11 eyes, without worsening of vision in any eyes.

CONCLUSION

The newly developed viscodissection instrument facilitates microincisional vitrectomy for complex diabetic tractional retinal detachment.