title: Anatomical and visual outcome of retinal detachment surgery in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the visual and anatomical outcome, as well as complications following surgery, for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in children at a tertiary referral centre over a 5 year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective survey of all children (aged 0-16 years) who underwent primary retinal detachment surgery at Queen's Medical Centre between April 1994 and March 1999.
  
  
  RESULTS
  15 consecutive patients were identified with a mean follow up of 14.7 months (range 3-57) and a mean age of 12.4 years. Trauma was the cause in 40% (6/15). Complete retinal reattachment was achieved in 86.6% (13/15). Visual improvement occurred in 53.3% (8/15), worsening of vision occurred in 13.3% (2/15), with no change in the remaining 33.3% (5/15). Visual acuity was D 6/12 in 6.6% (1/15) preoperatively, and 26.6% (4/15) postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retinal detachment in children is rare compared with adults. There are therefore limited data available for this group of patients. These data provide one unit's experience over a 5 year period, and may help provide a basis for information for patients and their parents when discussing the risks and potential benefits of surgery for retinal detachment in the paediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's Medical Centre, University Hospital Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Kiel
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Orr
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications