Materials and Methods: The records of patients in which PPV was performed due to tractional retinal detachment, intravitreal hemorrhage between January 2001-April 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. The demographic properties, the type, the duration of diabetes, postoperative AHFVP development time and the anatomical, functional results of surgical treatments were evaluated.

Results: Out of 201 eyes, AHFVP developed after a mean of 2.3 (1-5) months postoperatively in 9 eyes (4.4%) of 7 patients (male/female:4/3) in which 5 out of 7 were type I DM with a mean age of 38,2 (24-69). 4 patients had diabetic nephropathy, anemia. Median BCVA was hand motion (light perception- 2m counting fingers). Only equatorial cryotherapy (EK) was performed in 1 patient; in 8 eyes PPV with intensive endolaser (n:8), lens extraction (n:5), scleral buckling (n:1), EK (n:6) were performed. At the end of a mean follow-up time of 7.1 (1-12) months, retina was attached in 5 and detached in 4 eyes. Phtysis developed in 1 eye. Postoperative median BCVA was light perception; 2 eyes lost light perception.

Conclusion: With surgical treatment, anatomical success was achieved in 55% of eyes with AHFVP; however, visual aquities remained at low levels. Postoperative close followup of patients who carry high risks of developing AHFVP is very important for the early diagnosis and treatment. Tight regulation of diabetes and especially the prevention of anemia is necessary along with intensive surgical treatment.

Keywords : Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, pars plana vitrectomy, anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation.