CASE SERIES OF PROGRESSIVE RETINAL DETACHMENTS IN PERSISTENT FETAL VASCULATURE.

PURPOSE: Persistent fetal vasculature may be associated with tractional retinal detachment due to tractional contraction of the fibrovascular stalk. Persistent fetal vasculature is often believed to be congenital and nonprogressive. A rhegmatogenous component is far less common and is typically identified as a postoperative complication and has not been spontaneously reported. The authors present five cases illustrating potential progressive changes and complications that may arise in nonoperated persistent fetal vasculature.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case series of five patients who presented with progressive retinal detachments from persistent fetal vasculature.

RESULTS

Five unique cases of persistent fetal vasculature with significant progression from time of initial presentation, four of which included development of rhegmatogenous components.

CONCLUSION

Patients with persistent fetal vasculature and a seemingly stable tractional detachment should undergo evaluation with a retinal specialist for risk stratification and management because rhegmatogenous detachments may occur due to ocular growth and stretch breaks, and tractional detachments can continue to progress over time.