Management of traumatic retinal detachment with vitreon in children.

PURPOSE: To report the use of perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene (vitreon) for traumatic retinal detachment in children.

METHODS

Vitreon was used as an intraoperative adjunct in 34 children with complicated retinal detachment secondary to penetrating and perforating trauma. The characteristics of the injuries, the final visual acuities, the postoperative complications and the rate of anatomic success were evaluated in a retrospective study.

RESULTS

Patients were followed-up an average of 20 months. Eighteen retinas (53%) were reattached, and the postoperative visual acuity was counting fingers or better in 9 cases (26%), and only 4 eyes saw better than 10/200 at last follow-up. Hypotony developed in 7 (21%) of 34 eyes.

CONCLUSION

Management of traumatic retinal detachment in children is difficult. Vitreon, as other perfluorocarbons, may be an effective intraoperative tool for vitreoretinal surgery in pediatric eyes that suffer trauma.