Materials and Methods: Records of 64 eyes of 64 patients with type II DM that underwent PPV due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy were evaluated retrospectively. They were recruited into 2 groups: First group consisted of 29 patients (16 female, 13 male) underwent additional simultaneous phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation due to lens opacities causing difficulties for visualization of the posterior segment. The second group consisted of 35 patients (14 female, 21 male) that did not undergo lens extraction. Peroperative problems, complications, anatomical and functional success in both groups were compared.

Results: Average follow-up time was 19±4 (mean±SEM) months in the first and 24±7 months in the second group (P>0.05). 1/10 and better visual acuity rate increased from 17% (5 eyes) to 38% (11 eyes) in the first group, from 20% (7 eyes) to 29% (10 eyes) in the second group (P>0.05). Postoperatively, eyes using topical glaucoma medicine increased from 10% (3 eyes) to 14% (4 eyes) in the first group, from 6%(2 eyes) to 9%(3 eyes) in the second group (P>0.05). Neovascular glaucoma developed in 1 (3%) eye in the first group, in 2 (6%) eyes in the second group (P>0.05). Anterior proliferation developed in 2 eyes (6%) and significant cataract in 6 eyes (17%) in the second group. Second PPV operation was applied to 2 eyes (7%) in the first, to 3 eyes (9%) in the second group (P>0.05). Six (17%) eyes had cataract operation within 1 year following the first PPV in the second group.

Conclusion: Though combined surgery results in similar anatomic and functional success rate with PPV alone, combined phacoemulsification and PPV can be preferred in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and nuclear sclerosis as it prevents postoperative cataract progression. Keywords : Cataract, pars plana vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, proliferative diabetic retinopathy