Materials and Methods: A combined technique of phacoemulsification with pars plana vitrectomy was performed in 41 eyes of 39 patients with cataract complicated by proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The mean follow- up period was 9.34±0.85 months. Surgical indications included vitreous hemorrhage (27 eyes), tractional macula detachment (11 eyes) and dense posterior hyaloid (3 eyes).

Results: Postoperatively, visual acuity improved in 28 eyes (68.3%), was unchanged in 8 eyes (19.5%) and was found to be worse in 5 eyes (12.2%) on the last examination. Postoperative complications consisted of anterior chamber fibrin exudation (4 eyes), posterior synechia of the iris (4 eyes), delayed corneal epithelial healing (1 eye), pupil capture (2 eyes), elevation of intraocular pressure (8 eyes), rehemorrhage (2 eyes), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (1 eye), epimacular proliferation (6 eyes), macular hole (3 eyes) and optic atrophy (1 eye).

Conclusion: Combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy can be used to treat patients with complications resulting from proliferative diabetic retinopathy. This combined technique may prevent a latter cataract surgery and also allow earlier visual rehabilitation. Keywords : Combined surgery, pars plana vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, proliferative diabetic retinopathy