Surgical management of the lens and retrolenticular fibrotic membranes associated with persistent fetal vasculature.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a surgical technique that allows safe, effective, near-total removal of retrolenticular fibrotic membranes in eyes with persistent fetal vasculature syndrome (PFVS).


METHODS
Pediatric ophthalmologist's academic practice.


METHODS
This retrospective review comprised 5 children (6 eyes) who had excision of a retrolenticular fibrovascular membrane during cataract surgery over a 6-month period. Long, spoke-like radial incisions of the membrane were made to the ciliary processes, resulting in wedge-shaped segmentation of the membrane. A vitrector was used to excise each wedge and perform an anterior vitrectomy.


RESULTS
The mean age at time of surgery was 8 months (range 1 to 24 months) and the mean follow-up, 9 months (range 2 to 13 months). The membrane was successfully removed in all eyes. One eye of a patient who did not comply with the postoperative medical regimen or follow-up developed pupillary block glaucoma requiring pupilloplasty and trabeculectomy.


CONCLUSIONS
This anterior surgical technique to remove tenacious retrolenticular membranes associated with PFVS was effective, allowing near-total removal of the offending fibrovascular membrane.
Paysse
Evelyn A
EA
Cullen Eye Institute, Departments of Ophthalmology and Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. epaysse@bcm.tmc.edu
McCreery
Kathryn M Brady
KM
Coats
David K
DK
D019923:Capsulorhexis / Q000379:methods; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008566:Membranes / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000098:blood supply*