Pars-plana Vitrectomy vs Panretinal Photocoagulation for Severe NPDR

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged ≥18 years, male or female

2. Type 1 or type 2 diabetes

3. Presence of severe NPDR according to the diagnosis of 4-2-1 rule,

One or more of the following, in the absence of PDR:

- More than 20 intraretinal hemorrhages in each of four quadrants

- Definite venous beading in two or more quadrants

- Prominent intraretinal microvascular abnormality (IRMA) in one or more quadrants

4. Best corrected Electronic-Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (E-ETDRS) visual acuity letter score > 24 (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/320) on the day of randomization.

5. Media clarity, pupillary dilation, and study participant cooperation sufficient to administer PRP and obtain adequate fundus photographs and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

6. Able and willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Significant renal disease, defined as a history of chronic renal failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant

2. In the opinion of the investigator, A condition that would preclude participation in the study (e.g., unstable medical status including blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and glycemic control).

3. Participation in an investigational trial within 30 days of randomization that involved treatment with any drug that has not received regulatory approval for the indication being studied.

4. Blood pressure > 180/110 (systolic above 180 or diastolic above 110).

*If blood pressure is brought below 180/110 by anti-hypertensive treatment, individual can become eligible.

5. Myocardial infarction, other acute cardiac event requiring hospitalization, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or treatment for acute congestive heart failure within 4 months prior to randomization

6. Systemic anti-VEGF or pro-VEGF treatment within 4 months prior to randomization

* These drugs should not be used during the study

7. For women of child-bearing potential: pregnant or lactating or intending to become pregnant within the next 3 years.

* Women who are potential study participants should be questioned about the potential for pregnancy. Investigator judgment is used to determine when a pregnancy test is needed

8. History of prior panretinal photocoagulation (prior PRP is defined as ≥100 burns outside of the posterior pole

9. If macular edema is present, it is considered to be primarily due to a cause other than diabetic macular edema.

10. An ocular condition is present (other than diabetic retinopathy) that, in the opinion of the investigator, might alter visual acuity during the course of the study (e.g., retinal vein or artery occlusion, uveitis or other ocular inflammatory disease, neovascular glaucoma, etc.).

11. Substantial cataract that, in the opinion of the investigator, is likely to be decreasing visual acuity by 3 lines or more (i.e., cataract would be reducing acuity to 20/40 or worse if eye were otherwise normal).

12. History of intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment at any time in the past 2 months

13. History of corticosteroid treatment (intravitreal or peribulbar) at any time in the past 4 months.

14. History of major ocular surgery (including vitrectomy, cataract extraction, scleral buckle, any intraocular surgery, etc.) within prior 4 months or anticipated within the next 6 months following randomization.

15. History of laser capsulotomy performed within 2 months prior to randomization

16. Aphakia.

17. Uncontrolled glaucoma (in investigator's judgment).

18. Exam evidence of severe external ocular infection, including conjunctivitis, chalazion, or substantial blepharitis.