Purpose: To determine the incidence and possible causes of a late recurrence of a retinal detachment (RD) in eyes with stages 4B and 5 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), in which the retina was once reattached by lensectomy and vitrectomy.
Design: Retrospective, comparative case series.
Methods: The medical records of 124 eyes of 99 infants and children <2 years of age at the time of initial vitrectomy, in which the retina had been reattached for at least 1 year, were reviewed. The incidence of a recurrence of the RD >1 year after the initial surgery for eyes at stage 4B ROP (42 eyes) was compared with that in eyes at stage 5 ROP (82 eyes). The onset and symptoms were evaluated.
Results: A recurrent RD occurred in 2 eyes (5%) at stage 4B ROP and 18 eyes (22%) at stage 5 ROP (P = .01). The recurrence developed at 2 to 10 years of age (median, 4 years). Prior to the recurrence, clear signs of traction on the peripheral retina were detected in 10 eyes (50%): localized residual RDs in 8 eyes, and peripheral retinal breaks in 2 eyes. Dense vitreous hemorrhage was present in 5 eyes (25%) at the time of the recurrence.
Conclusions: The retina of eyes at stage 5 ROP is more vulnerable to a recurrence of the RD than in eyes at stage 4B after being attached by vitrectomy. The time of recurrence varies widely, and the presence of traction on the peripheral retina may be a sign of a recurrence.