Vitrectomy in children

A series of 24 consecutive pars plana posterior vitrectomies in children is reported. The postoperative visual acuities improved in 59%, were unchanged in 23%, and worsened in 28%. Trauma was the most common predisposing etiologic factor to vitrectomy and accounted for 59% of cases. Boys in the series outnumbered girls by a ratio of nearly 3:1, a factor most likely attributable to the high incidence of trauma. In no case did visual loss occur as a direct result of vitrectomy.