Recurrent proliferative vitreoretinopathy in a patient with morning glory syndrome and intellectual disability

To report a case of morning glory syndrome (MGS) with retinal detachment, in whom unusually severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) developed after surgery.

A 6-year-old boy with intellectual disability underwent vitrectomy for retinal detachment associated with MGS in the left eye. Vitrectomy was performed five times. C₃F₈ gas tamponade was used for the first and second surgeries. However, the retina developed PVR with a nearly 360-degree giant retinal tear after the second surgery. The third surgery required 360-degree retinotomy, followed by short-term perfluoro-n-octane (PFO) tamponade, which was removed ten days later. During the fourth surgery, the retina was found to be flipped over in a funnel-shape on the retinal pigment epithelium under the PFO. Silicone oil (SO) tamponade was used. During the fifth surgery, the retina was flipped over under the SO again. We found that the patient shook his head rapidly and vigorously while crying.

We speculate that excessive head shaking associated with the patient's intellectual disability induced an unusual shape of the retina under PFO or SO. Although difficult to achieve, postoperative resting seems important in preventing such complications in intellectually disabled patients with retinal detachment.