Anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation after extracapsular cataract extraction in diabetic eyes.

Four patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy developed anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation after extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation. This complication of cataract extraction has been described after vitrectomy in diabetic eyes. Risk factors for this entity after extracapsular cataract extraction include proliferative diabetic retinopathy, iris neovascularization, and anterior ischemic retina. Anterior hyaloidal fibrovascular proliferation was observed an average of 12 months postoperatively and affected vision in one of four patients. No progression was seen within an average of six months of follow-up, and no complications such as traction retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage developed.