Vitreous changes after treatment of retinopathy of prematurity

Purpose: To investigate the vitreous findings in patients with cicatricial retinopathy of pre maturity (ROP) who underwent retinal cryopexy and/or photocoagulation during the acute phase of the disease. Methods: Vitreous findings were evaluated in 15 patients (29 eyes) with cicatricial ROP by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Results: The ocular examination revealed that all eyes had extensive vitreous liquefaction that affected a large segment of the vitreous. A great deal of fibrillar condensation of the vitreous was present in membrane-like vitreous fibers that traversed the vitreous cavity to the periphery of the degenerating retina. These vitreous changes were most marked in the areas in which retinal cryopexy and/or photocoagulation had been performed. Despite advanced liquefaction, the posterior cortical vitreous was not separated from the retina in any eyes. Conclusion: In eyes with ROP that underwent retinal cryopexy and/or photocoagulation during the acute phase of the disease, the vitreous was abnormal, which may contribute to vitreoretinal. traction that eventually leads to retinal breaks and detachment. (C) 1999 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.