[Trauma-associated juvenile rhegmatogenous retinal detachment]

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRD) in children and adolescents are uncommon and present about 3-5 % of all retinal detachments. Etiology, pathogenesis and therapy differ significantly from adults. The current study addresses juvenile RRD after trauma to contribute to the limited knowledge about this condition.

The current study includes 27 eyes of 25 patients aged up to 18 years that were operated on between 2000 and 2012. They presented 42.4 % of all RRD of that age group. We analyzed the following parameters: demographic data, retinal detachment characteristics, surgical techniques and outcomes.

Mean age was 15,3 years and 77 % were boys. Retinal detachment occurred between 3 days and 11 years after trauma (median: 3,5 months). Two thirds of RRDs were classified as acute, the remainder showed symptoms of chronicity, e.g. pigment demarcation and subretinal strands or PVR. The macula was detached in 81,5 %. Retinal dialysis was the most common type of break (44,8), followed by giant retinal tears (18,5 %). In 3 out of 5 eyes with severe PVR due to self-aggressive behavior a causative retinal defect was not identified. Episcleral buckling surgery was the preferred method in any case that deemed manageable with a segmental sponge or encircling band (14 eyes). Primary vitrectomy was performed in more complex retinal detachments (13 eyes), and most of them had silicone oil tamponade. Primary reattachment was achieved in 83 % in the buckling group and 80 % in the vitrectomy group (3 eyes with self-harm excluded). Finally, all eyes had attached retinas. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved or remained stable in successfully treated eyes. Late complications in the vitrectomy group were cataract development in half of the phakic eyes.

Retinal dialysis and giant retinal tears are the most frequent retinal lesions in posttraumatic RRD. Delayed diagnosis is a common problem, as most of the cases preset with macula-off detachments and clinical signs of chronic RRD. A conventional approach to traumatic RRD using scleral buckling techniques is recommended whenever possible. Differently from adults, strong vitreoretinal adhesions are present and the vitreous is rarely detached which makes a complete vitrectomy challenging. Furthermore there is a significant risk of postoperative cataract despite of the young age. However, cases with giant retinal tear and complex detachments due to PVR require vitrectomy maneuvers, usually with the use of silicone oil. A special subgroup presents PVR-detachments due to chronic auto-aggressive behavior of disabled young patients. Despite of extreme vitreoretinal maneuvers used, those eyes might be inoperable or late failures due to chronic aggressive PVR. On the whole, delayed diagnosis and advanced RRD limit final vision. However, after successful surgery, approximately half of the eyes improve, many retain vision. As preserving vision in young patients is of great impact for their whole lifespan, any attempt should be made to achieve a stable retinal situation.