Long-term sequelae of stage 4A ROP after successful management with lens-sparing vitrectomy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Pediatric Ophthalmology

Background:

• Lens-sparing vitrectomy (LSV) is a crucial treatment for advanced retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
• Long-term follow-up is essential to understand the late sequelae of ROP treatments.
• Understanding late complications aids in refining surgical techniques and patient management.

Observation:

• An unusual macular lesion was observed during a 4-year follow-up visit.
• The lesion appeared as a spontaneously closed macular hole.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed the macular hole and noted equatorial fibrovascular proliferation.

Findings:

• The case suggests a potential link between LSV for ROP and late-onset macular abnormalities.
• Tangential traction from residual posterior hyaloid is hypothesized as the cause of the macular hole.
• This observation adds to the understanding of the long-term effects of LSV in ROP.

Implications:

• This case highlights the possibility of late macular hole formation following LSV in ROP.
• Further documentation and research are needed to elucidate the late sequelae of LSV.
• Findings may inform future surgical strategies and long-term monitoring protocols for ROP patients.