Lens Clarity After Three–Port Lens–Sparing Vitrectomy in Stage 4A and 4B Retinal Detachments Secondary to Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To assess lens clarity after three–port lens–sparing vitrectomy (LSV) for Stage 4A and 4B tractional retinal detachment (TRD) secondary to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Methods: One–hundred and fifty–three eyes of 145 consecutive patients presenting with Stage 4A or 4B TRD at 37–43 weeks post–conceptual age from February 1998 to January 2004 were assessed. Twenty–five eyes were excluded due to progressive anterior vascularization requiring vitrectomy with lensectomy. Twenty eyes were excluded due to concomitant scleral buckle procedure. The main outcome measure was lens clarity at final follow–up visit Results: Of the 108 eyes, 102 eyes (94.4%) maintained clear lenses at final follow–up examination, which ranged from 6 to 48 months (mean, 32 months) after the procedure. Thirty–two eyes were Stage 4A and 76 eyes were Stage 4B. Cataract formation occurred in 6 eyes (5.6%). Conclusions: Ninety–four percent of lenses remained clear after three–port LSV for Stage 4A or 4B ROP. The infant lens may be resistant to the causes of post–vitrectomy cataract. Similar to the two–port technique, three–port LSV may be performed with relatively low risk of postoperative cataract formation.

Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity • retinal detachment • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications