Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment in Children

To describe presenting clinical features and surgical techniques that are associated with successful surgical repair of pediatric rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).Retrospective interventional case series.Two hundred twelve eyes of 191 patients 0 to 18 years of age undergoing surgical repair for RRD between 2001 and 2015 with a minimum follow-up of 3 months.Patients were divided into 3 age groups (0-6 years, 7-12 years, and 13-18 years) and comparisons were made using bivariate and multivariate generalized estimating equation models. A mixed means model was used to examine visual acuity in each age group over time.Complete reattachment of the retina at final follow-up.Of 212 eyes, 166 (78%) achieved total reattachment at final follow-up. Mean follow-up was 36.3 months. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with Stickler syndrome was more likely to occur in the younger cohorts (odds ratio [OR], 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.91), whereas RRD associated with blunt trauma was more likely to occur in the oldest cohort (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.2-4.4). Subtotal RRD was more likely to be repaired successfully than total RRD (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.5-8.4; P = 0.0100), and eyes with previous vitreoretinal surgery were less likely to undergo successful repair (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.12-0.78; P = 0.0258). There was no significant difference between age groups in the rate of surgical success (P = 0.55). There was a significantly higher success rate with primary scleral buckle (SB; 63%; OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.5) and combined SB plus pars plana vitrectomy (PPV; 68%; OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-5.1) compared with PPV alone (51%).Most pediatric patients with RRD achieved complete reattachment with surgery. Success was more common in patients with a subtotal RRD at presentation. Previous vitreoretinal surgery was a risk factor for failure. Younger patients were more likely to demonstrate RRD involving the macula, but there was no difference between age groups in successful reattachment at final follow-up. Primary PPV showed a lower rate of success than SB or combined SB plus PPV.