Long-Term Peripheral Vitreoretinal Interface Abnormalities of Retinopathy of Prematurity: Ultra-Wide Field Optical Coherence Tomography Findings.

Abstract

Background: Evaluation of long-term changes in the vitreoretinal interface in patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using ultrawide-field optical coherence tomography (OCT). This cross-sectional single-centre study included children with a history of ROP treated with either a single dose of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB), laser photocoagulation (LPC), or those with spontaneous regression (SR).

Methods: Ultrawide-field OCT imaging was performed using an Optos Silverstone Swept Source-OCT device. Vitreoretinal abnormalities, including those in the former ridge area, vitreous veils, tractions, and adhesions, were grouped as 'vitreoretinal interface abnormalities'. The images were evaluated for these abnormalities.

Results: This study enrolled 188 eyes of 94 patients (76 eyes of 38 children, IVB group; 40 eyes of 28 children, LPC group; 72 eyes of 44 children, SR group). The prevalence of vitreoretinal interface abnormalities was 73.2% and 44.4% in the IVB and SR groups, respectively. All the patients in the LPC group showed abnormalities in laser and non-laser retinal areas.

Conclusion: Ultrawide-field OCT revealed various vitreoretinal interface abnormalities in patients with a history of ROP. Long-term follow-up and OCT evaluation of the peripheral retina, even without structural abnormalities on following examinations, may help prevent outcomes such as retinal detachment. Treatment of detected lesions remains uncertain.