Vitreoretinal disorders in anterior megalophthalmos.

PURPOSE

To describe vitreoretinal abnormalities in patients with anterior megalophthalmos (AM) and to report the results of vitreoretinal surgery in these cases.

METHODS

In a retrospective, noncomparative case series, a diagnosis of AM was made according to the following criteria: megalocornea, iris hypoplasia, lens subluxation, cataract formation at an early age, and absence of congenital glaucoma. Vitreous biomicroscopy and funduscopy were performed in all patients. Patient records were also reviewed.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients with AM (12 male, 12 female), aged 4 months to 64 years, were included in this study. Funduscopy was possible in 46 eyes. Vitreous degeneration was the most common abnormal posterior segment finding, present in 34 eyes (73.9%). Nine eyes (19.5%) had optically empty vitreous with strands. Lattice degeneration was seen in five eyes (10.8%). Spontaneous vitreous hemorrhage occurred in three eyes, and peripheral retinal neovascularization was detected in two. Retinal detachment occurred in 18 eyes (37.5%); retinal breaks were detected in eight of these before surgery. Thirteen eyes underwent a total of 18 procedures. Retinal reattachment was finally achieved in 12 of the 13 eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior megalophthalmic eyes seem to be affected by a type of vitreoretinopathy predisposing to retinal detachment. Current vitreoretinal surgical techniques usually achieve good anatomic results in these cases.