Stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity. Prognostic value of morphologic findings.

Anterior and posterior segment findings were evaluated in 184 consecutive cases of stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (368 eyes). One hundred seventy patients had one or more examinations under anesthesia and 150 had open-sky vitrectomy (260 eyes) with or without additional surgery. Ocular findings were inspected and special attention was given to verify the morphology of the retinal detachment (RD) as predicted by ultrasonography. Immature iris and/or pupil, posteriorly or totally closed detachment funnels, vascularized epiretinal membranes, retinal folds, tractional retinoschisis, persistent hyaloid system, and subretinal blood and/or organization were the most significant indicators of bad prognosis. Evaluating stage 5 ROP eyes with these variables in mind is therefore essential.