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The following is a summary of “Corneal Epithelial Defects in Diabetic Patients Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy,” published in the April 2025 issue of Journal of Ophthalmology by Hicks et al. 

Diabetes mellitus was identified as a known risk factor for corneal epithelial defects (CEDs) after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), but the relationship between diabetes severity and specific diabetic risk factors with CED risk remained unclear.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to determine factors linked with CED and healing time in patients with diabetes following PPV in relation to diabetes severity.  

They queried the electronic health record database at the University of Florida in Gainesville to identify individuals who underwent PPV for retinal detachment (RD) between April 2016 and April 2022. Patient charts were reviewed for clinical data, with type of diabetes (if present), diabetes duration and severity, and linked diabetic comorbidities.  

The results showed that 637 participants were analyzed, with 243 eyes (26.5%) from individuals with diabetes. These participants were classified into proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) groups. Diabetes was linked to the development of an initial CED (P= 0.040), consistent with existing literature. No significant difference in CED risk was found between NPDR and PDR groups, though participants with PDR exhibited more severe long-term outcomes with persistent CED (PCEDs).  

Investigators concluded that patients with PDR may have still required closer monitoring and earlier intervention for postoperative CED following PPV, as compared to the patient with NPDR. 

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/joph/8873950