Ultra-widefield fluorescein angiographic findings in patients with recurrent vitreous hemorrhage after diabetic vitrectomy.

PURPOSE To analyze differences in ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFFA) findings between patients with recurrent postvitrectomy diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (PVDVH) and patients with non-PVDVH (NPVDVH). METHODS Patients were categorized as PVDVH when vitreous hemorrhage recurred after diabetic vitrectomy. Age-matched control diabetic patients in whom vitreous hemorrhage did not recur after vitrectomy were assigned to the NPVDVH group. Baseline characteristics were compared between groups. Also peripheral angiographic findings such as peripheral neovascularization, nonperfusion, and late peripheral vascular leakage were analyzed by UWFFA. RESULTS A total of 46 eyes were included this retrospective study: 22 with PVDVH and 24 with NPVDVH. Preoperative, 3-month postoperative, and final-visit best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were not different between the two groups. The rate of peripheral neovascularization was significantly different (PVDVH 40.9%, NPVDVH 8.3%, P = 0.010). The rate of peripheral nonperfusion was significantly greater in PVDVH eyes than in NPVDVH eyes (81.8% vs. 37.5%, P = 0.002). The rate of late peripheral vascular leakage was also significantly greater in PVDVH eyes (90.9% vs. 29.2%, P < 0.001). These differences in peripheral angiographic findings were not seen within the conventional Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) 7 standard fields. Ischemic index was also significantly higher in the PVDVH group than in the NVDVH group. CONCLUSIONS Compared with diabetic vitrectomized eyes that did not have recurring vitreous hemorrhage, PVDVH eyes had a higher rate of peripheral neovascularization, nonperfusion, and late peripheral vascular leakage. These differences were not found within the conventional ETDRS 7 standard fields. Therefore, it is important to assess peripheral retinal vessels by UWFFA after diabetic vitrectomy. Furthermore, in cases of peripheral neovascularization, peripheral nonperfusion, and late peripheral vascular leakage, additional treatment may be necessary to prevent PVDVH.