Combined Vitrectomy and Anti-VEGF Treatment for Stage 4 Retinopathy of Prematurity With Extensive Neovascular Proliferation.

PURPOSE: To study the role of combined vitrectomy and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with extensive neovascular proliferation.

METHODS

In a retrospective interventional study at a tertiary eye care center, 15 eyes (9 infants) with advanced stage 4 ROP underwent 25-gauge vitrectomy combined with intravitreal 0.625 mg of bevacizumab (n = 12) or 0.25 mg of ranibizumab (n = 3) injection and were followed up until 65 weeks' postconceptional age (PCA). The perinatal history, tractional retinal detachment (TRD) characteristics (zone, stage, and presence of "plus" disease), treatment details, and anatomical outcomes were reviewed. The main outcome measures were fibrovascular tissue and TRD regression and final macular status.

RESULTS

Mean gestational age and birth weight were 28.5 ± 1.2 weeks and 1,167 ± 185 g, respectively. Thirteen eyes had zone I disease and 2 eyes had zone II disease. Thirteen eyes were stage 4A and 2 eyes were stage 4B ROP. The morphology was aggressive posterior ROP in 10 eyes. The mean PCA at surgery was 37.8 ± 2.3 weeks. Lensectomy was also performed in 2 eyes. Rapid fibrovascular tissue regression was seen in 14 eyes within 2 weeks, followed by TRD regression and macular vascularization, although 2 eyes had macular pucker formation. Persistent vitreous bleeding was present in 1 eye, which needed lavage, and eventually the TRD regressed. Disease reactivation was noted in 1 eye at 5 weeks and was managed with repeat intravitreal anti-VEGF injection.

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-VEGF treatment combined with vitrectomy leads to rapid disease regression in advanced stage 4 ROP with extensive neovascular proliferation. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57(1):61-66.].