Using panretinal fluorescein angiography, three patterns (A, B, C) of capillary nonperfusion were identified in 308 eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant association with different retinal complications and clinical parameters. Pattern A (83.7%: midperipheral location of capillary nonperfusion) occurs in type I and II diabetes and is associated with early retinal neovascularization and focal macular edema. Pattern B (8.1%: capillary exclusions disseminated on the whole retina) is typical of young type-I diabetics and is complicated by early disc new vessels and ischemic maculopathy. Pattern C (8.1%: capillary nonperfusion confined to the peripheral retina) is observed in type-I diabetic females and associated with multiple, retinal new vessels, without maculopathy. This study also demonstrated that eyes with pattern B retinal ischemia respond less well to laser treatment than eyes with other pattern types. Various pathogenetic factors could lead to these three distinct types of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.