Late vitreous hemorrhage in patients with regressed retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE

To describe the characteristics of eyes with late vitreous hemorrhage in children with a history of regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS

The medical records of consecutive patients with regressed ROP presenting to our institution with late vitreous hemorrhage between 1995 and 2006 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients (14 eyes) were identified. All patients had stage 3 or higher ROP. Prior treatments included cryotherapy in three eyes, laser ablation in eight eyes, and laser followed by vitrectomy for retinal detachment in two eyes. Three eyes had had no prior ocular surgery. Age at late vitreous hemorrhage ranged from 10.8 months to 15 years (mean, 8.4 years). At the time of late vitreous hemorrhage, no eyes had active neovascularization, three eyes had a history of trauma, and three eyes had concurrent retinal detachment; eight eyes were observed (57%) and six (43%) were treated with vitrectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Late vitreous hemorrhage can occur in patients with regressed ROP years after the vascularly active phase of the disease. It likely results from abnormal vitreoretinal traction on otherwise normal retinal vessels or from a normal amount of traction on residual cicatricial tissue. Vitreous hemorrhage may occur in the absence of trauma, retinal tears, retinal detachment, or active neovascularization. With appropriate management, most patients maintained their baseline vision.