Lens clarity after 3-port lens-sparing vitrectomy in stage 4A and 4B retinal detachments secondary to retinopathy of prematurity.
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.
Lakhanpal
Rohit R
RR
Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, 6565 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Davis
Garvin H
GH
Sun
Regina L
RL
Albini
Thomas A
TA
Holz
Eric R
ER
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*