Comparing Rhegmatogenous and Tractional Retinal Detachment in Regressed Retinopathy of Prematurity: An International, Multicenter Study.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2026

Publication Title

American journal of ophthalmology

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical manifestations, surgical outcomes, and prognostic factors of late-onset retinal detachment (RD) in patients with regressed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

DESIGN: International, multicenter, retrospective case series.

SUBJECTS: Patients developing RD ≥2 years after resolution of acute ROP.

METHODS: Patients were categorized as rhegmatogenous RD (RRD) or tractional RD (TRD). Age and visual acuity (VA) at presentation, surgical outcomes, and postoperative VA were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical features and visual outcomes of RRD and TRD in patients with regressed ROP.

RESULTS: We enrolled 177 eyes from 156 patients, including RRD (168 eyes, 95%) and TRD (9 eyes, 5%). The average age of presentation was 17.0 ± 15.0 and 20.5 ± 15.5 in TRD and RRD, respectively (P = .66). Presenting best-corrected VA was 1.6 ± 1.2 and 1.5 ± 1.0 for RRD and TRD, respectively (P = 0.73). RRD showed a significant VA improvement postoperatively (P < 0.01). In contrast, TRD had a higher percentage of multiple surgeries (77.8%, P = 0.06) and a significantly poorer final reattachment rate (66.7%, P = 0.03). Poor anatomic outcomes in RRD were linked to break size >1.5 mm and prior acute-stage surgery for ROP.

CONCLUSIONS: Late-onset RD in patients with regressed ROP is predominantly rhegmatogenous (94.9%) and generally has favorable outcomes following surgical intervention. In contrast, TRD often occurs earlier, requires multiple surgeries, and has poorer anatomical and visual prognoses. Given the elevated risk of RD, particularly before age 30, regular ocular examinations are recommended for early detection and timely intervention.

Volume

282

First Page

1

Last Page

10

DOI

10.1016/j.ajo.2025.10.022

ISSN

1879-1891

PubMed ID

41135932

Link to Full Text
Find in My Library

Share

COinS