Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026
Monitoring Dynamic Growth of Retinal Vessels in Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Mouse Model
Published on: April 2, 2021
Severe retinopathy in a child with hypoplastic left heart syndrome
1Schepens Retina Associates, the Schepens Eye Research Institute, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. ahmadof@vision.eri.harvard.edu
Purpose:
We present the first reported case of a condition similar to retinopathy of prematurity in a full-term patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Design:
Interventional case report.
Methods:
We describe the clinical presentation and surgical treatment of a male baby with severe retinopathy and retinal detachments.
Results:
The clinical course of this baby was similar to retinopathy of prematurity. The patient had areas of avascular retina, significant retinal neovascularization, fibrous proliferation, and tractional detachment. One eye had a totally detached retina; the other had functional vision after the retina was reattached by several vitreoretinal surgeries, including the use of intraocular silicone oil.
Conclusions:
This cyanotic condition can cause a retinopathy with chronic retinal neovascularization and retinal detachments. Permanent surgical retinal reattachment is difficult in the presence of neovascular activity that leads to intravitreous cicatrization.
