**1. Introduction**

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness across the world. The estimated global prevalence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy amongst diabetic patients is 7.5%, and it is higher in type 1 compared to type 2 diabetes [1].

The first pars plana vitrectomy was performed for persistent vitreous haemorrhage in a diabetes patient by Robert Machemer in 1970 using a single port instrument called vitrectomy infusion suction cutter (VISC) [2, 3]. There has been a drastic evolutionary change in the technique of diabetic vitrectomy since then. In this chapter, we would be discussing the current indications of vitrectomy in diabetes patients, various surgical techniques and complications.

#### **1.1 Indications of vitrectomy in diabetic retinopathy**


Surgery for extramacular TRDs is generally not advocated as vision is preserved in most cases. Patients who become symptomatic with visual complaints or metamorphopsia or if there is a progression of extramacular TRD to threaten the macula would benefit from surgery [5].
