Late ROP Reactivation and Retinal Detachment in a Teenager

Abstract

Exudative and tractional retinal detachments have been reported as late sequelae of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The authors report a case of unilateral retinal detachment in a 19-year-old patient with history of peripheral ablation for ROP in the contralateral eye. This late reactivation is likely due to persistent avascular retina producing constant low levels of vascular endothelial growth factor. Therefore, close follow-up and ablation of peripheral avascular retina should be considered in patients with ROP, regardless of treatment history, to decrease lifelong risk of severe complications, including retinal detachment decades later. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:625-628.].