Long-term visual function and refractive changes after vitrectomy for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate longitudinal changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and refraction in patients following vitrectomy for stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 42 eyes from 25 patients (35 eyes with stage 4A, 7 eyes with stage 4B) who had successful vitrectomy for stage 4 ROP and were followed for at least 8 years. Postoperative BCVAs and refractive errors between ages 5 and 8 years were compared. Factors related to BCVA at ages 5 and 8, as well as their differences, were analyzed.

Results: In stage 4A ROP eyes, the mean logMAR BCVA improved significantly from 0.83 (20/135) to 0.63 (20/85) (p < 0.001) and a myopic shift of 1 D or more occurred in 21 eyes (61.8%) between ages 5 and 8. In the poor BCVA group at age 5 in the stage 4A eyes, dominant eyes showed a trend of BCVA improvement by ages 5-8 (p = 0.06). Multiple regression analysis of the patients with stage 4A ROP showed that phakic and dominant eyes at age 5 were independently associated with better BCVA at ages 5 and 8 (p = 0.006 and 0.016 for age 5; p = 0.009 and 0.002 for age 8). No significant BCVA improvement was noted in stage 4B ROP eyes during the same period.

Conclusion: This study indicated the possibility of continued visual improvement beyond age 5 in patients who underwent vitrectomy for stage 4A ROP, although a myopic shift occurred concurrently.

Key messages: What is known Previous studies have reported long-term visual prognosis and refractive errors at specific time points after vitrectomy for ROP in small case series, but there has been limited research on serial changes. What is new This study demonstrates the potential for ongoing visual improvement beyond age 5 and highlights longitudinal myopic changes between ages 5 and 8 in patients who underwent vitrectomy for stage 4A ROP. In patients with poor visual acuity at age 5, being the dominant eye was significantly associated with improved visual acuity by age 8. The findings indicate that postoperative visual acuity in ROP patients gradually improves, even as myopia progresses, underscoring the need for long-term follow-up.