ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors for neovascular glaucoma (NVG) after vitrectomy in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients. MethodsThree hundred and one patients (301 eyes) with PDR who underwent vitrectomy between January 2008 and December 2013 in our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Risk factors for NVG after vitrectomy were identified by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. ResultsTwelve of 301 patients (4.0%) developed postoperative NVG in 2 to 18 months after vitrectomy. The incidence of postoperative NVG peaked in 2 to 6 months after vitrectomy (7 eyes, 58.3%). Logistic regression analysis showed that postoperative retinal detachment was a significant risk factor for postoperative NVG in eyes with PDR (P < 0.001). Eyes with postoperative retinal detachment were more likely to develop NVG after vitrectomy than those without postoperative retinal detachment (OR=17.826). Gender, age, duration of diabetes, preoperative serum creatinine levels, glycated hemoglobin levels, preoperative intraocular pressure, preoperative lens status, combined phacoemulsification surgery and tamponade were not associated with postoperative NVG (P > 0.05). ConclusionPostoperative retinal detachment is a major risk factor for NVG after vitrectomy in PDR.