Factors associated with corneal epithelial defects after pars plana vitrectomy.

Purpose: To investigate the risk factors associated with corneal epithelial defects (CED) and delayed healing (exceeding 1 week) following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients who underwent PPV at a single center in Taiwan between 2011 and 2012. Medical records were reviewed, including demographic, underlying disease, surgical indication, operation parameters, and existence of CED. These data were statistically analyzed. All patients were evaluated during follow-ups at day 1 and week 1 after PPV. Patients with persistent CED 1 week after PPV were diagnosed with delayed healing.

Results: A total of 255 patients were included in the study, consisting of 139 men and 116 women, with a mean age of 56.9 years. PPV was performed under the indications of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), diabetic retinopathy, or vitreoretinal interface disease. Out of 255 eyes, 59 developed CED 1 day after surgery (23.1%), and CED was associated with younger age, diabetes mellitus (DM), RRD, longer duration of surgery, and silicon oil use during surgery. Among them, seven patients (11.9%) demonstrated delayed healing, which was associated with a higher rate of DM (p = 0.085), compared to patients who healed within 1 week.

Conclusion: Patients with RRD, longer duration of surgery, and DM may be at risk of developing CED after PPV. In addition, patients with DM demonstrated a higher incidence of delayed corneal healing.