Histopathology after vitrectomy with the vitrophage.

A 72-year-old adult-onset diabetic woman underwent vitrectomy with the vitrophage because of persistent vitreous hemorrhage. Postoperatively a hyphema developed and elevation of intraocular pressure was refractory to medical management. Intraocular pressure was controllable within normal limits after vitreous lavage. Eleven days after vitreous lavage the patient died from pulmonary embolization. Histologic sections demonstrated a flat pars plana over the sclerotomy site with vitreous condensation along the internal aspect of the wound. Rubeosis iridis was postulated as the source of the hyphema. A hemolytic mechanism may have caused the elevated intraocular pressure.