Exudative retinal detachment in retrolental fibroplasia.

Four cases of exudative retinal detachment associated with retrolental fibroplasia are presented. The exudation appears to be secondary to leakage from neovascularization as well as vitreous traction on normal retinal vessels. The range in age of onset was between 13 and 17 years, with three of the four cases occurring in patients 23 years of age or younger. Treatment is directed at eliminating the abnormal vasculature which, in our experience, has been accomplished best by an encircling scleral-buckling procedure. One patient, however, required vitrectomy because of the severe vitreous membranes and traction which were present.