The Association of Vitreous Organization with Retinal Detachment in Retinopathy of Prematurity

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To determine the association between severe vitreous organization and later development of a retinal detachment in eyes treated for threshold retinopathy of prematurity. Methods: Retrospective review of 262 eyes of 138 infants. Severe vitreous organization was characterized as organization that was dense enough to preclude or significantly reduce visualization of the underlying retina and that extended at least 2 clock hours along the vascular/avascular junction. Retinal detachment was graded as present or absent; no attempt was made to further classify severity of detachments. Results: Retinal detachment occurred in 17 (65%) of 26 eyes with severe vitreous organization compared with 19 (8%) of 236 eyes with no or non–severe vitreous organization. (P<0.5) Severe vitreous organization always preceded detachment in affected eyes. Conclusions: Severe vitreous organization is a frequent precursor of retinal detachment in retinopathy of prematurity.

Keywords: vitreous • retinopathy of prematurity