Use of an Iris Speculum for Retrolental Membrane Dissection for Stage 5 Prematurity of Retinopathy Complicated With Pupillary Adhesion.

PURPOSE: To report a novel use of an iris speculum to assist with membrane dissection and trough separation for stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity-related funnel-shaped tractional retinal detachment complicated with pupillary adhesion.

METHODS

Limbus-based closed vitrectomy and membrane dissection were performed in 10 eyes (9 patients) with stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity-related tractional retinal detachment and pupillary adhesion. After synechiolysis, an iris speculum was positioned to enlarge the pupil for surgical visualization and maintain a neutral iris plane. The retrolental membrane was dissected bimanually and circumferentially along the peripheral trough and then toward the central retina with vertical scissors and end-gripping forceps.

RESULTS

In all 10 eyes, retrolental membranes were entirely removed and troughs were circumferentially unraveled. Follow-up examinations performed 6 to 18 months postoperatively showed reattachment of the retina in 3 eyes with an open-narrow funnel and 6 of 7 eyes with a narrow-narrow funnel. A near-circular pupil without recurrent pupillary adhesion was preserved in all nine eyes showing retinal reattachment.

CONCLUSION

This use of the iris speculum effectively exposes the surgical field for the entire removal of retrolental tissue and interruption of the peripheral trough in stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity-related tractional retinal detachment complicated with pupillary adhesion. The pupil's configuration is well preserved postoperatively.