Clinicopathologic findings in anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation after diabetic vitrectomy.

Two young patients (27 and 30 years old, respectively) with long-standing diabetes mellitus underwent vitreoretinal surgery for traction retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage. The postoperative course in each was characterized by early recurrence of the hemorrhage into the vitreous cavity, hypotony, and severe visual loss. Histopathologic examination of both operated on eyes showed anterior extraretinal fibrovascular proliferation extending along the anterior hyaloid to the posterior lens surface, causing traction detachments of the peripheral retina and ciliary body. The vessels originated from the anterior retina. There was no evidence of excess fibrous tissue at the well-healed sclerotomy wounds.