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.