title: Lens clarity after 3-port lens-sparing vitrectomy in stage 4A and 4B retinal detachments secondary to retinopathy of prematurity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess lens clarity after 3-port lens-sparing vitrectomy for stages 4A and 4B tractional retinal detachment secondary to retinopathy of prematurity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective, interventional, consecutive clinical case series, 108 eyes of 102 patients who underwent lens-sparing vitrectomy for stages 4A and 4B tractional retinal detachment from February 1, 1998, through January 31, 2004, were reviewed. All procedures and follow-up examinations were performed by a single surgeon. Lens clarity was assessed at the final follow-up examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 108 eyes reviewed, 102 (94.4%) maintained clear lenses at the final follow-up examination, which ranged from 6 to 48 months (mean, 32 months) after the procedure. Thirty-two eyes had stage 4A detachments and 76 eyes had stage 4B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three-port lens-sparing vitrectomy may be performed with relatively low risk of cataract formation during the early postoperative period. Maintenance of a clear crystalline lens during the critical period of visual development may lead to better functional outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, 6565 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Rohit R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Lakhanpal
authors.forename: Garvin H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Regina L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Albini
authors.forename: Eric R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Holz
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*