Pediatric Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachments: Etiologies, Clinical Course, and Surgical Outcomes

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the predisposing factors, clinical course, and surgical methods of pediatric rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and determine which factors affect anatomic success. Methods: Data of patients 18 years or younger who had surgical repair for RRD from January 1, 2004, to June 31, 2020, with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The study evaluated 101 eyes of 94 patients. Of the eyes, 90% had at least 1 predisposing factor to pediatric RRD, including trauma (46%), myopia (41%), prior intraocular surgery (26%), and congenital anomaly (23%); 81% had macula-off detachments and 34% had proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) grade C or worse at presentation. The presence of PVR grade C or worse (P = .0002), total RRD (P = .014), and vitrectomy alone at first surgery (P = .0093) were associated with worse outcomes. Patients who had scleral buckle (SB) alone at the first surgery had statistically higher rates of anatomic success than those who had vitrectomy alone or combined with SB (P = .0002). After the final surgery, 74% of patients achieved anatomic success. Discussion: The majority of cases in this study were associated with 1 of the 4 risk factors predisposing to pediatric RRD. These patients often present late with macula-off detachments and PVR grade C or worse. The majority of patients achieved anatomic success after surgical repair using SB, vitrectomy, or a combination.

Keywords: giant retinal tear; pediatric ophthalmology; retina; rhegmatogenous retinal detachments; scleral buckle; vitrectomy.