Late onset vitreoretinal complications of regressed retinopathy of prematurity.

AIM

To report the clinical findings, management, and outcomes in eyes undergoing surgery for regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with vitreoretinal complications.

METHOD

Retrospective review of 40 eyes of 32 patients with regressed ROP who presented between 1989 and 2001 at two UK referral centres.

RESULTS

Of 29 eyes presenting with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), 15 initially underwent a scleral buckling procedure and 14 initially underwent vitrectomy with or without additional buckling. Primary surgery was anatomically successful in 11/15 eyes that underwent a non-vitrectomy retinal detachment repair and 8/14 that required vitrectomy. The final reattachment rate after reoperation was 28/29 eyes. Median visual acuity improved from 6/60 to 6/36 following retinal detachment repair. A further 11 eyes of eight patients from this series underwent prophylactic surgery, laser, or cryotherapy for predisposing vitreoretinal pathology and/or retinal breaks, all of which were stabilised.

CONCLUSIONS

In eyes with RRD and signs of regressed ROP successful reattachment of the retina can be achieved using either vitrectomy or external surgery with an associated overall improvement in visual acuity. A range of external and closed microsurgical approaches is required to effectively deal with the diverse manifestations of regressed ROP.