AIM:To observe the postoperative recoverment of corneal epithelium scaled off from vitrectomy.METHODS:One hundred and thirty-five cases 147 eyes of vitrectomy were selected randomly in our hospital from Apr.2005 to Oct.2008.Surgery was performed using classical routine vitrectomy through the pars plana.Corneal epithelium was scaled off about 7-8mm in diameter size due to edema turbidity during the operation,and limbal epithelium was saved.The vitrectomy was completed normally.After surgery,antibiotic gel was be used q.i.d,tobramycin 10mg plus dexamethasone 3mg was given by peribulbar injection 3 days postoperatively.RESULTS:The first day after surgery,147 eyes(100%) were the absence of central corneal epithelium,but the size of lack was significantly reduced compared with surgery.On the second day,57 eyes (38.8%) regained corneal epithelium roughly,among them,regained rate in diabetes was 18.8%.On the third day,137 eyes (93.2%) regained corneal epithelium,among them,regained rate in diabetes was 89.6%.After the first 5 days,11 eyes recurred small pieces of corneal epithelial exfoliation,they were all diabetic.With changed treatment,they regained at postoperative 8 to 10 days.After the first 10 days,there were still only 3 eyes’ corneal epithelial defect.After 2 weeks of review,only 2 eyes’ corneal epithelium was not yet regained.CONCLUSION:Scraping corneal epithelium is safe for the non-diabetic vitrectomy;but for diabetic patients,surgery should be carefully performed to scrape corneal epithelium,corneal epithelium has the risk of delayed healing.