Vitrectomy treatment of vitreous opacities

Twenty one patients suffering from vitreous opacities caused by central and branch vein occlusion, sickle cell retinopathy, retinal vasculitis, endophthalmitis, hypertensive retinopathy, and uveitis underwent pars plana vitrectomy with the vitrophage. Intraoperative complications included retinal tears in two eyes with sickle cell retinopathy and tractional retinal detachment. Both were successfully treated. Postoperative complications were recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, hemolytic glaucoma, and corneal blood staining in a patient suffering from sickle cell retinopathy. Long standing corneal edema was observed in patients suffering from endophthalmitis. Visual acuity improved in 95% of our patients and was worse in 5% of the patients.