Long term postoperative results of a consecutive series of stages 4 and 5 retinopathy of prematurity

Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the long-term, anatomic, and functional results of a consecutive series of stages 4 and 5 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) eyes after surgical management. Design: A retrospective analysis of 42 eyes of 21 children yielded 34 eyes of 19 children who were operated on for stages 4 and 5 ROP. Participants: In 33 of 34 eyes, it was possible to have age-appropriate vision testing. The children were followed for a mean of 44 months. Results: Seventy-six percent of eyes (25 of 33) in which vision testing was possible had partial or complete attachment of the posterior pole. Fifteen percent of all eyes achieved 20/300 or better visual acuity. Thirty percent of all eyes achieved 20/800 or better visual acuity, Forty-eight percent of eyes achieved ambulatory vision of 20/1900 visual acuity or better, and 72% of eyes achieved light perception or better vision. All eyes were managed similarly for their preoperative screening, surgical therapy, and postoperative refractive correction by one vitreoretinal surgeon and one pediatric ophthalmologist. Conclusion: Timely surgical intervention and appropriate postoperative care can result in useful vision in stages 4 and 5 ROP.