[Retinal detachment after surgery of congenital cataract]

We conducted a retrospective study of retinal detachments after congenital cataract surgery managed during the last twelve years so as to determine whether the surgical prognosis has been improved by the use of vitreoretinal microsurgery. The study included 25 eyes of 23 consecutive patients. The time interval between cataract surgery and the onset of retinal detachment ranged from 1 month to 46 years. It was 10 to more than 30 years in 60% of patients. Fourteen patients (60.8%) were over 26 years old. Nine eyes (36%) showed PVR grade B to D3. Preoperative fundus examination was hindered by anterior segment changes secondary to cataract surgery in 18 eyes. Microsurgical management included reconstruction of the anterior segment via the pars plana in 7 eyes, vitrectomy in 10 eyes, gas injection in 15 eyes and the use of liquid perfluorocarbon in 1 eye. Anatomic success with at least a six month-follow-up was achieved in 22 eyes (88%). It is concluded that the surgical prognosis of retinal detachment after congenital cataract surgery has been improved by modern vitreoretinal microsurgery.