Purpose: To assess the visual outcomes of patients with stage 4A retinal detachments (RDs) from retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Design: Retrospective review of a consecutive case series of children referred to the pediatric retina service of Associated Retinal Consultants, Royal Oak, Michigan.
Participants: Forty-five eyes of 39 children.
Methods: The stage of RD for each patient was determined during an examination under anesthesia. All patients underwent a lens-sparing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with membrane peeling. Postoperative anatomic status was determined by ophthalmoscopy either during an office examination or during an examination under anesthesia. Visual outcomes were ascertained by consulting pediatric ophthalmologists using either Teller or Allen acuities.
Main outcome measures: Anatomic and visual outcomes.
Results: Formalized visual acuity (VA) measurement was performed in 23 eyes of 20 children, and was not performed in 22 eyes of 19 children. All 23 eyes that were formally tested had successful retinal reattachment. The macula appeared to be normal and without distortion in 19 of 23 eyes (83%) during the follow-up period. Average logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution VA was 20/58. Three eyes had acuities of 20/200, and 4 had acuities of 20/100. All other eyes were 20/80 or better. Average age at time of VA was 3.51 years.
Conclusions: Patients with ROP and stage 4A RDs can be treated successfully with respect to anatomic and visual outcome utilizing lens-sparing PPV.