Abstract
Purpose::
there is not a well-defined treatment for aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity (APROP), but it can result in poor vision if left untreated. Aim of the study is to value the anatomic results, safety and complications of lens-sparing vitrectomy (LSV) for stage 3 APROP, before tractional retinal detachment (TRD) appearance.
Methods::
A retrospective, non-comparative, interventional, consecutive case series of 14 eyes (10 patients born at mean gestational age of 24.8±1.13 weeks, range: 23-26) with stage 3 APROP. All eyes were previously treated with retinal laser photocoagulation, but they kept showing signs of progression to TRD. All eyes underwent LSV, intraoperative additional laser photocoagulation, before TRD appearance.
Results::
All eyes underwent 3-port 20-gauge LSV and intraoperative additional laser photocoagulation. Ten eyes which showed were tamponaded with air, 4 with balanced salt solution. At the end of follow up (10.8±4.8 months, range: 3-21), retina was completely attached in all eyes, with no more signs of progression. We did not observe any significant intraoperative or postoperative complication, such as hyatrogenic cataract development, IOP raising, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal tears and retinal detachment.
Conclusions::
An early and conservative surgical treatment of stage 3 APROP could be effective to stop the progression of the disease to next stages, without relevant complication
Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity • vitreoretinal surgery