Surgical outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in eyes with regressed retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE: To report the anatomical and functional outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery in eyes with “regressed ROP” presenting with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). METHODS: In this retrospective interventional case series, twenty-two eyes (of 22 patients) with regressed ROP, who underwent surgery for RD. Primary outcome measures were final anatomical and visual outcome for scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Visual outcomes were categorized into three groups: improved, remained stable, and deteriorated. Univariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for RD. RESULTS: Of 22 eyes in the study, overall anatomic success was achieved in 16 of 22 eyes (72.7%). The macula was attached in 17 of 22 eyes (77.3%) at final visit. In the scleral buckle (SB) group, overall anatomical success was achieved in six of seven eyes (85.7%). Overall, in the PPV group, anatomical success was seen in 10 of 15 eyes (66.7%) at final visit. At final follow-up, significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline was seen in 11 cases (50%, P = 0.02), stable in 5 cases (22.7%), and significant visual deterioration was seen in 6 cases (27.3%, P = 0.02). The total mean follow-up duration of the patients was 45.5 months (range: 2.1 months to 11.2 years). CONCLUSION: Early recognition and surgical intervention in such cases can lead to a high rate of anatomical success and can prevent the development of profound visual impairment in some patients.