AIM:To evaluate the effect of vitrectomy on treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)in elderly.

METHODS:One hundred and thirty-six elder patients(150 eyes)with PDR treated by vitrectomy were retrospectively analyzed, the postoperative visual acuity, complications and essential points during operations were analysed.

RESULTS:Postoperative follow-ups were 6～15mo. Visual acuity improved in 115 eyes(76.7%),unchanged in 23 eyes(15.3%)and decreased in 12 eyes(8.0%). The patients whose eyes were in PDR phase Ⅳ had their visual acuity improved in 56 eyes(82.3%), unchanged in 8 eyes(11.8%)and decreased in 4 eyes(5.9%). The patients in phase V had their visual acuity improve in 36 eyes(75.0%), unchanged in 8 eyes(16.7%), and decreased in 4 eyes(8.3%). Those in phase Ⅵ had their visual acuity improve in 22 eyes(64.7%), unchanged in 12 eyes(35.3%)and decreased in 0 eyes. Visual acuity of the eyes in phase Ⅳ and V improved significantly than those in phaseⅥ after vitrectomy.

CONCLUSION:Vitrectomy has fewer complications, which is effective for PDR.