Comparative evaluation of early vs. deferred vitrectomy in Eales' Disease

Methods: 40 cases of vitreous haemorrhage secondary to Eales' disease were taken up for vitrectomy. Depending upon duration of vitreous haemorrhage pa tients were divided into two groups: Group I (20 eyes) - early vitrectomy g roup with duration between 3-6 months; Group II (20 eyes)- deferred vitrect omy group with duration of more than 6 months. All patients were followed u p for a minimum period of 3 months following vitrectomy, Results: Eyes in Group I showing a preoperative ultrasonic picture of compl ete posterior vitreous detachment, less mobility of organised vitreous haem orrhage and mid vitreous organisation on kinetic echography achieved a fina l visual acuity of 6/9 or better in 13 (65%) eyes as compared to 4 (20%) ey es in Group II (p<0.01), Poor visual outcome in the deferred group was seco ndary to cystoid macular oedema, macular scar, macular pucker formation and macular degeneration. Conclusion: Improved visual outcome in the early vitrectomy group was proba bly because the haemorrhagic blood and its toxic products had less time to damage the macula, a lesser incidence of macular traction and cystoid macul ar oedema.