Scleral buckling for retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the anatomic effectiveness of scleral buckling on eyes with stages 4A, 4B, and 5 retinopathy of prematurity.

METHODS

Seventy eyes of 44 infants had scleral buckling performed by one surgeon and were followed for at least 6 months. All except one child had previous bilateral peripheral ablation (cryo/laser).

RESULTS

Twelve (70%) of 17 stage 4A eyes, 29 (67%) of 43 stage 4B eyes, and 4 (40%) of 10 stage 5 eyes had complete retinal reattachment or dry folds attached at their last follow-up visit. All eyes referred as stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity that reattached had a rhegmatogenous component.

CONCLUSION

Scleral buckling appears to play a role in reducing progression from stage 4 to stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity.