Lens-sparing vitreous surgery for tractional stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity retinal detachments.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of lens-sparing vitrectomy in tractional 4A retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) retinal detachments in reducing progression to stage 4B or 5 ROP. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty eyes (31 patients) with stage 4A ROP at 38 to 42 weeks post-conceptional age. INTERVENTION: Lens-sparing vitrectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Retinal attachment status and presence/absence of fixation behavior. RESULTS: The range of follow-up was 6 to 22 months (mean, 12 months). Ninety percent (36 of 40) of eyes showed retinal reattachment and fixation behavior at their last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that vitreous surgery can interrupt progression of ROP from stage 4A to stages 4B or 5.