Managing challenging paediatric vitreoretinal disease

Abstract

Purpose: Vitreoretinal diseases in the paediatric age group carry significant visual morbidity. We present current vitreoretinal techniques for restoring normal visual potential in these challenging cases.Materials and Methods: Selected challenging paediatric vitreoretinal cases operated upon from September 2020 to September 2023 were included. Operative techniques used were analysed based on disease pathophysiology, surgical indication and timing, anatomical and visual outcomes.Results: A total of 32 eyes from 23 patients were included. Diseases included ROP, FEVR, PFV, Coats disease, congenital cataract complications, retinal detachment from optic disc coloboma, morning glory anomaly, X‐linked retinoschisis and expulsive haemorrhage. A thorough understanding of embryological disease origins, surgical anatomy in this age group, as well as pathophysiology of the selected disease entities are essential. Surgical techniques that were found to offer advantages are presented.Conclusions: Children's age, surgical timing and operative methods are important for visual prognosis.