Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) remains the gold standard for treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), effectively stabilizing visual acuity in most patients [1]. However, even after successful PRP treatment, approximately 5.3% of stable PDR cases may still experience vitreous haemorrhage (VH) within 5 years [2]. In the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, the initial approach for most patients with VH secondary to PDR involves a period of observation across multiple clinic visits. This strategy aims to allow spontaneous clearance of the VH to perform supplementary PRP to cause regression of new vessels and prevent subsequent VH [3]. Some patients with non-clearing VH may require pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether the final visual outcome of those managed conservatively with observation and supplementary PRP for over 12 months is comparable to those who undergo PPV for non-clearing VH within the first 12 months.

This retrospective study aimed to compare visual outcomes in two groups of patients with stable PDR who had undergone initial complete PRP and subsequently developed VH. The first group consisted of patients who underwent PPV within 12 months of VH onset. The second group included patients who were either observed or waited for spontaneous resolution of VH while receiving additional PRP in areas with clear media or had PPV deferred for 12 months or more due to non-clearing VH. The study was conducted at Moorfields Eye Hospital, adhering to the Declaration of Helsinki. The study was registered in the Clinical Effectiveness department (No: 757).

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