BILATERAL EYE PATCHING MAY IMPROVE CLINICAL OUTCOMES FOR ACUTE PRIMARY RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT.

PURPOSE: Evaluate preoperative bilateral eye patching (BEP) on subretinal fluid and vision in acute primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs). METHODS: Retrospective nonrandomized interventional study of 335 patients with RRD undergoing BEP until surgery (BEP cohort) and separated by the percentage of full-time compliance: high (≥90%), medium (>90% but ≥50%), and low (<50%). Those declining BEP were included (control). All underwent surgery and were followed for ≥3 months. Imaging was obtained immediately before surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity was measured at the longest follow-up and immediately before surgery. SRF and foveal status immediately before surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty and 95 patients were in BEP and control cohorts, respectively. Thirty patients presented immediately before surgery for analysis. High (64%) and medium (35%) compliance showed significantly greater ( P < 0.01) SRF reduction compared with low (4%) and control (3%). Mac-off RRD showed significantly greater ( P < 0.01) foveal reattachment with high (29%) and medium (8%) compliance compared with low (2%) and control (1%). Mac-on RRD demonstrated no significant differences ( P ≥ 0.51) in final best-corrected visual acuity among high (0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR] [median], 20/20 Snellen), medium (0.10 logMAR, 20/25 Snellen), low (0.10 logMAR), and control cohorts (0.10 logMAR). Mac-off RRD demonstrated significantly better final best-corrected visual acuity with high compliance (0.30 logMAR, 20/40 Snellen) compared with low (0.40 logMAR, 20/50 Snellen; P = 0.04) and control (0.60 logMAR, 20/80 Snellen; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Preoperative BEP can stabilize or improve subretinal fluid in acute primary RRD. Patients with BEP >50% of the time experienced the greatest benefits.

Spontaneous Improvement of Myopic Retinoschisis Following a Long-term Observational Period: A Case Series.

PURPOSE: To highlight spontaneous resolution or improvement of myopic retinoschisis (MR) in actively surveilled patients. METHODS: Case series of five patients diagnosed with MR who did not undergo pars-plana vitrectomy and were carefully monitored by a single retina specialist. Ocular and medical history were reviewed, and clinical characteristics including visual acuity, and the status of the MR were monitored with spectral domain ocular coherence tomography (SD-OCT) at each clinic visit. RESULTS: Five patients with were identified to have MR without vitreomacular traction, or macular hole formation. Two patients exhibited spontaneous and complete resolution of MR without surgical intervention over an average observation time of 52.5 months. In these cases, a clinical posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was documented preceding the resolution of MR over an average time of 26.5 months. Snellen best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in these patients were improved (Case 1 from 20/50 to 20/40, Case 2 from 20/30 to 20/25). The remaining three patients were monitored for an average of 52 months and showed improvement of MR via OCT imaging. Snellen BCVA either remained stable or improved from baseline (Case 3 stable at 20/30, Case 4 improved from 20/40 to 20/30, and Case 5 stable at 20/20). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that conservative management of MR with observation can be considered especially in patients with challenging co-morbidities (such as monocular status), and with a clinically identified posterior vitreous detachment without vitreomacular traction.

The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on retinopathy of prematurity screening and management in the United States: a multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of the pandemic-related lockdown (physical distance measures and movement restrictions) on the characteristics and management of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: In this controlled, multicenter cohort study, the medical records of patients born prematurely and screened for ROP in the neonatal intensive care unit during four time periods were reviewed retrospectively: (1) November 1, 2018, to March 15, 2019; (2) March 16, 2019, to August 2, 2019 (lockdown control period); (3) November 1, 2019, to March 15, 2020; and (4) March 16, 2020-August 2, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 1,645 patients met inclusion criteria. Among the 1,633 patients with complete data, mean gestational age (GA) at birth was 28.2, 28.4, 28.0, and 28.3 weeks across time periods 1 to 4, respectively (P = 0.16). The mean birth weight of all patients was 1079.1 ± 378.60 g, with no significant variation across time periods (P = 0.08). There were fewer patients screened during the lockdown period (n = 411) compared with the period immediately before (n = 491) and the same period in the prior year (n = 533). Significantly more patients were screened using indirect ophthalmoscopy, compared to digital imaging (telemedicine), during the lockdown (P < 0.01). There were 11.7%, 7.7%, 9.0%, and 8.8% of patients requiring treatment in each time period, respectively (P = 0.42), with a median postmenstrual age at initial treatment of 37.2, 36.45, 37.1, and 36.3 weeks, respectively (P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: We recorded a decrease in the number of infants meeting criteria for ROP screening during the lockdown. The GA at birth and birth weight did not differ. Significantly more infants were screened with indirect ophthalmoscopy, compared to digital imaging, during the lockdown.

Vitreoretinopathy-Associated Pediatric Retinal Detachment Treatment Outcomes: IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) Analysis.

Purpose: To determine the treatment patterns and outcomes of pediatric retinal detachments (RDs) associated with hereditary vitreoretinopathies. Design: Retrospective cohort analysis using IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) database. Participants: Patients < 18 years old with a rhegmatogenous RD and a systemic disorder associated with vitreoretinal degeneration (e.g., Stickler syndrome) or other malformation of the vitreous from 2013-2019. Methods: Cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revisions (ICD-9, ICD-10) diagnostic codes from the IRIS® Registry cohort. Other hereditary vitreoretinopathies that are not encoded by specific ICD code(s) were captured by text search. Nonspecific vitreous abnormality ICD codes were also included. Exclusion criteria included traumatic retinal detachments using ICD codes for ocular trauma and serous or exudative retinal detachment. Surgical procedures were identified using Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for repair of retinal detachment. Baseline demographic information collected included age, gender, race/ethnicity, geographic region of the provider location, and health insurance status. Main Outcome Measures: Main outcomes measured in this study were average time to first surgery, number of eyes presenting with bilateral detachments, and choice of initial surgical procedure. Results: A total of 2115 eyes of 1722 patients were identified (mean age, 10.4 years; 58% male). The median time to first surgery was 7 days (interquartile range, 40 days). One thousand four hundred seven eyes of 1134 patients had ≥ 1 year of follow-up, with 506 eyes (36%) developing a fellow eye RD. Thirty-three percent of patients presenting with bilateral detachments, and 349 eyes had initial RD surgery within 1 year of the index date documented by CPT code. Fellow eye detachment occurred a mean of 32 days after initial presentation. The mean number of surgeries per eye within 1 year was 1.68. Best-corrected visual acuity did not improve from a baseline 20/54 to 20/62. The initial procedure was most commonly complex RD repair (n = 176), followed by scleral buckle (n = 102), pars plana vitrectomy (n = 89), laser (n = 59), cryotherapy (n = 5), and pneumatic retinopexy (n = 5). There were 51 new diagnoses of glaucoma and 37 new diagnoses of aphakia within 1 year after the surgical procedure. Conclusions: IRIS Registry data provide insight into rare pediatric vitreoretinopathy-associated RDs, which have a high rate of reoperation and fellow eye involvement. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Retinal Detachment Prophylaxis for Patients With Stickler Syndrome: A Survey of Pediatric Retinal Specialist Treatment Preferences.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Stickler syndrome is the most common inherited cause of pediatric rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The purpose of this study was to survey pediatric retinal surgeon preferences for prophylactic treatment of Stickler syndrome patients. STUDY DESIGN: A voluntary, anonymous 27-question survey was developed by RedCap and distributed to the Association of Pediatric Retinal Surgeons. The survey was distributed on March 17, 2021. Results were tabulated on April 12, 2021 in Microsoft Excel. All surveys returned were included. RESULTS: Thirty-four (76% response rate) respondents completed the survey. Twenty-six (76%) reported primarily using prophylactic laser retinopexy, four (12%) preferred use of cryotherapy, and 12% reported using prophylactic scleral buckle. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the United States. and international pediatric retinal surgeons use laser retinopexy as the primary method of prophylactic treatment. These results may serve as a benchmark for retinal surgeons less familiar with prophylactic treatment approaches. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:102-107.].

Aggressive Posterior Retinopathy of Prematurity: Long-Term Outcomes Following Intravitreal Bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to review the neonatal and early childhood course of children who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab for APROP and identify any long term limitations these children face years after treatment. METHODS: This retrospective consecutive case series reviewed both ophthalmologic and pediatric medical records to determine ocular and neurologic function following treatment with a single injection of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for APROP. Patient records were reviewed to identify the gestational age, average birth weight, gender, post-menstrual age (PMA) at the time of injection, regression status, rescue therapy events, final visual acuity, final refraction, ophthalmologic diagnoses and complications, neurologic diagnoses, and duration of follow up. RESULTS: The study included 43 eyes from 13 male and 9 female children. The average gestational age was 24 weeks and average birth weight was 625.2 grams. The average follow-up was 4.08 years (range: 1.85-7.36 years). The average PMA at time of bevacizumab injection was 35.59 weeks. Thirty-five eyes eventually received laser photocoagulation at an average PMA of 53.17 weeks. All eyes in this study demonstrated regression without progression to retinal detachment. At last follow up, 67% (29/43) of eyes were able to discern letters or shapes, with an average visual acuity of 20/37. 16 (72%) children were diagnosed with perinatal neurological disorders. 59% (n = 13) developed chronic neurological impairment, 77% (n = 10) of whom developed neurodevelopmental delay. Several infants were diagnosed with endocrine disease or genetic syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: Extreme prematurity is associated with significant morbidity. Nearly all infants (92%) who developed chronic neurologic disease were diagnosed with neurologic disease during the perinatal period. Intravitreal bevacizumab, often with adjuvant photocoagulation, led to regression without detachment in 100% of eyes, with most verbal children retaining functional vision.

Referable Macular Hemorrhage-A Clinically Meaningful Screening Target in Newborn Infants. Position Statement of the Association of Pediatric Retina Surgeons.

Universal newborn eye screening facilitates early diagnosis of ocular abnormalities and mitigates vision loss. "Referral warranted" eye disease is present at birth in about 5.5% of term infants, with "macular hemorrhage impinging on the fovea" representing about 50% of referral warranted disease. The Association of Pediatric Retina Surgeons held a symposium on February 9, 2021 that culminated in a position statement on "referable macular hemorrhage" (RMH) in newborn infants. RMH is meaningful in that in can cause amblyopia through deprivation, can be readily captured with wide-angle photography in a safe and efficient manner, and may lead to early intervention with mitigation of vision loss. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2022;53:3-6.].

Risk and Prevention of Retinal Detachments in Patients with Stickler Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report the impact of prophylactic laser retinopexy in the prevention of retinal detachments (RDs) in patients with Stickler syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, comparative case series of patients with Stickler syndrome from the year 2000 to 2019. We compared the rate of RDs between individuals who did and did not receive prophylactic laser therapy. In patients with an RD, we compared the rate of RD in the fellow eye with and without prophylactic laser treatment. RESULTS: A total of 95 eyes were identified. Fifty-four percent of the overall population was female. The RD rate was 26.7% among eyes without previous prophylactic laser retinopexy and 4.6% among eyes with previous prophylactic laser retinopexy. A Cox proportional model revealed that laser prophylaxis treatment had a statistically significant effect on the risk of RD or retinal tear during the 25-year survival period from birth (P = .034). Eyes receiving treatment were 70% less likely to experience RD or retinal tear (hazard ratio, 0.297; 95% CI, 0.097 to 0.913). CONCLUSIONS: This study's results suggest a potential role for prophylactic laser retinopexy in the prevention of rhegmatogenous RD among patients with a clinical diagnosis of Stickler syndrome. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2022;53:7-11.].

Macular Hole as a Complication Following Laser Photocoagulation for Retinopathy of Prematurity.

Complications after laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are rare but do occur. To the best of our knowledge, we report a previously unreported case of a unilateral macular hole that developed after resolution of an exudative retinal detachment that resulted from laser photocoagulation for ROP. Confluent laser patterns in ROP in infants who have previously received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor may result in adverse outcomes such as exudative retinal detachments. Even more rarely, a macular hole may develop. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2021;52:510-512.].

Anterior segment ischemia after laser for retinopathy of prematurity previously treated with antivascular endothelial growth factor.

PURPOSE: To assess the risk of vision-threatening anterior segment ischemia (ASI) among retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) patients treated with anti-VEGF followed by laser photocoagulation. METHODS: The medical records of all infants treated for threshold ROP with laser photocoagulation with and without prior anti-VEGF injections from January 1, 2002, through December 2018 at Mayo Clinic were retrospectively reviewed for the prevalence of vision-threatening ASI. RESULTS: A total of 241 eyes of 122 infants were included. Mean gestational age was 25.1 weeks (range, 22.9-28.7); mean birth weight was 687.6 g (range, 360-1310 g). Of the 54 eyes (27 patients) treated with anti-VEGF prior to laser, 4 developed ASI (including corneal edema, cataracts, and choroidal effusion) compared with 2 of the 187 eyes (95 patients) treated with laser therapy alone (P = 0.008). Infants receiving both anti-VEGF and laser had a younger gestational age at birth (24.5 vs 25.3 weeks; P < 0.001) and lower birth weight (591.4 g vs 715.0 g; P < 0.001) than those who received laser alone. In multivariate analysis, early gestational age at birth was associated with development of ASI (P = 0.03); the association with anti-VEGF treatment (P = 0.07) fell short of statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vision-threatening ASI was higher among infants treated with intravitreal anti-VEGF followed by laser compared to those treated with laser alone. Further investigation is warranted to confirm this finding and identify potential factors for decreasing the risk of ASI.

A child with unilateral disk elevation.

A healthy 7-year-old girl underwent a routine eye examination and was referred for unilateral, left optic nerve swelling. Best-corrected visual acuity in the affected eye was 20/20 with full Ishihara color plates and no relative afferent pupillary defect. Initial extensive workup was normal for any cause of unilateral disk swelling. When the patient returned a few years later with decreased vision, a thickened, gray-white preretinal tissue with surrounding retinal contraction and a surrounding charcoal gray lesion had developed in her optic nerve. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography over the optic nerve demonstrated distortion of the inner retinal architecture, a dense epiretinal membrane, and high internal reflectivity. Clinical examination and imaging revealed a diagnosis of combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigment epithelium.

OUTCOMES OF NONCONFLUENT DIODE LASER PANRETINAL PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR AGGRESSIVE POSTERIOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY AFTER INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of less dense panretinal photocoagulation after intravitreal bevacizumab in aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity infants. METHODS: Retrospective consecutive case series of premature infants diagnosed with aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity between August 2012 and November 2015 who received intravitreal bevacizumab with subsequent modified indirect diode laser panretinal photocoagulation for reactivation or incomplete vascularization. Main outcome measures included postprocedural reactivation, retinal detachments, or anterior segment ischemia. RESULTS: Sixty-one eyes of 31 premature infants were identified. The average gestational age was 24 ± 2.2 weeks (range 22-27), and the average birth weight was 661.5 ± 167.1 g (range 340.0-930.5 g). The average follow-up was 3.9 ± 1.3 years (range 1.3-5.4 years). At the last follow-up, no patient had experienced postlaser reactivation, retinal detachments, anterior segment ischemia, or other laser complications. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that nonconfluent panretinal photocoagulation for aggressive posterior retinopathy of prematurity infants who have received intravitreal bevacizumab may be safe and effective. This study's strengths include a sizeable sample size, long-term follow-up of nearly 4 years, and consistency in treatment among patients by a single, experienced retinopathy of prematurity specialist.

Adams-Oliver syndrome: a case of bilateral progressive ischemic maculopathy.

Adams-Oliver syndrome (AOS) is a congenital condition characterized by aplasia cutis congenita of the scalp and transverse limb defects. Other clinical features reported in association with AOS include cardiac malformations, cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, prenatal complications, and ophthalmic abnormalities. Reported ophthalmic manifestations range from Peters anomaly-like findings and cataract formation to incomplete or abnormal retinal vasculature, optic nerve hypoplasia, and rod dystrophy. We report the novel case of a 3-month-old boy with AOS type 2 who was found to have bilateral progressive macular ischemia.

Late-Onset Retinal Findings and Complications in Untreated Retinopathy of Prematurity.

PURPOSE: To investigate late retinal findings and complications of eyes with a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) that did not meet treatment criteria and did not receive treatment during infancy. DESIGN: Retrospective, nonconsecutive, noncomparative, multicenter case series. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred sixty-three eyes of 186 patients. METHODS: Data were requested from multiple providers on premature patients with a history of ROP and no treatment during infancy who demonstrated late retinal findings or complications and included age, gender, gestational age and weight, zone and stage at infancy, visual acuity, current retina vascularization status, vitreous character, presence of peripheral retinal findings such as lattice retinal tears and detachments (RDs), retinoschisis, and fluorescein findings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rate of RDs and factors conferring a higher risk of RDs. RESULTS: The average age was 34.5 years (range, 7-76 years), average gestational age was 26.6 weeks (range, 23-34 weeks), and average birth weight was 875 g (range, 425-1590 g). Findings included lattice in 196 eyes (54.0%), atrophic holes in 126 eyes (34.7%), retinal tears in 111 eyes (30.6%), RDs in 140 eyes (38.6 %), tractional retinoschisis in 44 eyes (11.9%), and visible vitreous condensation ridge-like interface in 112 eyes (30.5%). Fluorescein angiography (FA) was performed in 113 eyes, of which 59 eyes (52.2%) showed leakage and 16 eyes (14.2%) showed neovascularization. Incomplete vascularization posterior to zone 3 was common (71.6% of eyes). Retinal detachments were more likely in patients with a gestational age of 29 weeks or less (P < 0.05) and in eyes with furthest vascularization to posterior zone 2 eyes compared with zone 3 eyes (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Eyes with ROP not meeting the treatment threshold during infancy showed various late retinal findings and complications, of which RDs were the most concerning. Complications were seen in all age groups, including patients born after the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity Study. Contributing factors to RDs included atrophic holes within peripheral avascular retina, visible vitreous condensation ridge-like interface with residual traction, and premature vitreous syneresis. We recommend regular examinations and consideration of ultra-widefield FA examinations. Prospective studies are needed to explore the frequency of complications and benefit of prophylactic treatment and if eyes treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy are at risk of similar findings and complications.

PREDICTIVE FACTORS FOR PROLIFERATIVE VITREORETINOPATHY FORMATION AFTER UNCOMPLICATED PRIMARY RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR.

PURPOSE: To determine predictive factors of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) formation after uncomplicated primary retinal detachment repair. METHODS: Retrospective, single-center, case-control study of 74 consecutive patients with (37 eyes) and without (37 eyes) PVR formation after undergoing uncomplicated primary surgery for retinal detachment repair. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with PVR formation. RESULTS: Retinal detachment involving the macula was 4.2 times (adjusted odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-12.9; P = 0.0119) more likely to have PVR formation compared with those without. Patients who were current or former smokers were 3.6 times (adjusted odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-11.7; P = 0.0352) more likely to have PVR formation compared with nonsmokers. Compared with 25-gauge (g) vitrectomy, larger gauge vitrectomy (20 g or 23 g) was 3.6 times (adjusted odds ratio; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-11.3; P = 0.0276) more likely to have PVR formation. Duration of retinal detachment symptoms, high myopia, lens status, lattice degeneration, location of retinal break, number of retinal breaks, and surgical technique (e.g., scleral buckle with or without vitrectomy versus vitrectomy alone) were not found to be predictive of PVR formation. CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking and macular involvement are significant risk factors predictive of PVR formation after uncomplicated primary retinal detachment repair.

Endophthalmitis after Intravitreal Injection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors: Management and Visual Outcomes.

PURPOSE: We describe the presentation of patients developing endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors. Moreover, we evaluate the management by comparing the outcomes of immediate tap and injection of intravitreal antibiotics (TAI) versus initial surgical pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). Finally, we analyze the predictive factors of visual outcomes at 6-month follow-up. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center, nonrandomized interventional study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients developing endophthalmitis after receiving an intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agent between 2006 and 2016. METHODS: All patients received a vitreous biopsy sent for cultures before the initiation of treatment: TAI group versus PPV with intravitreal antibiotics (PPV group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6-month follow-up after treatment for endophthalmitis. RESULTS: A total of 258 357 intravitreal injections occurred over the course of the 10-year period, of which 40 patients (0.016%) had endophthalmitis within 3 weeks after injection. In total, 34 patients (85.0%) had pain and 25 patients (62.5%) had hypopyon on initial examination. Among 24 culture-positive cases, 66.7% of the causative organisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, followed by Streptococcus species (10.0%). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) at 6-month follow-up was significantly worse for patients who had a positive culture for Streptococcus species (4.0; standard deviation [SD], 0.8) (approximately light perception) compared with those who had a positive culture for coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (0.4; SD, 0.3) (∼20/50) (P < 0.0001). Compared with the TAI group, a higher proportion of samples were culture-positive in the PPV group (90.9% vs. 48.3%, P = 0.03). There was no statistically significant difference in BCVA at 6-month follow-up between the TAI and PPV groups. Younger age (<85 years) and lower intraocular pressure (IOP) (≤25 mmHg) at presentation were predictive of achieving a BCVA of 20/400 or better at 6-month follow-up after treatment. Initial management (TAI vs. PPV), duration of symptoms, presence of pain, presence of hypopyon, presenting BCVA, and culture status (positive vs. negative) were not found to be predictive of visual outcomes at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference in BCVA at 6-month follow-up was detected between the TAI and PPV groups. Younger age and lower IOP at presentation were associated with better visual outcomes at 6-month follow-up.

Cerebroretinal microangiopathy with calcifications and cysts (CRMCC) or "Coats Plus": when peripheral retinal vasculature signals neurologic disease.

An 8-month-old girl presented with vitreous hemorrhage, peripheral retinal arteriovenous anastomosis, and hypoplasia of the thumb. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed multiple hyperintensities, cysts, and calcifications in the white matter. DNA testing showed a mutation in one allele of the CTC gene, supporting the diagnosis of cerebroretinal microangiopathy with calcifications and cysts (CRMCC), or Coats plus disease, despite which designation this condition can present without subretinal exudate. In infants with peripheral retinal vascular disease, neuroimaging can identify the characteristic abnormalities of CRMCC.

Retinal Injury Secondary to Laser Pointers in Pediatric Patients.

This case report describes 4 male children (age, 9-16) who had laser-related retinal injury to the macula of 1 eye or both eyes due to the mishandling of the laser pointer devices at a single vitreoretinal clinical practice. The presenting symptoms associated with laser pointer injury include central vision loss, central scotoma, and metamorphopsia. Clinical findings of laser-related retinal injury include reduced visual acuity, disruption of the photoreceptor ellipsoid zone, retinal pigment epithelium atrophy, and choroidal neovascular membrane formation. Disruption of the foveal ellipsoid zone (photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment layer) is the most common finding on optical coherence tomography imaging. Three patients had potential irreversible vision loss. Laser pointers are readily available and appropriate use of laser pointers in the pediatric population must be emphasized due to the potential irreversible retinal injury. Health professionals, school teachers, and parents should raise public awareness of this emerging public health issue by educating children about the dangers of laser pointers. Laser pointer devices among children should be discouraged and limited due to the possibility of permanent harm to themselves and others. Legislation and laws may be required to better control the sale and use of these devices.

Immediate Sequential Bilateral Pediatric Vitreoretinal Surgery: An International Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility and safety of bilateral simultaneous vitreoretinal surgery in pediatric patients. DESIGN: International, multicenter, interventional, retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Patients 17 years of age or younger from 24 centers worldwide who underwent immediate sequential bilateral vitreoretinal surgery (ISBVS)-defined as vitrectomy, scleral buckle, or lensectomy using the vitreous cutter-performed in both eyes sequentially during the same anesthesia session. METHODS: Clinical history, surgical details and indications, time under anesthesia, and intraoperative and postoperative ophthalmic and systemic adverse events were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ocular and systemic adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 344 surgeries from 172 ISBVS procedures in 167 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the cohort was 1.3±2.6 years. Nonexclusive indications for ISBVS were rapidly progressive disease (74.6%), systemic morbidity placing the child at high anesthesia risk (76.0%), and residence remote from surgery location (30.2%). The most common diagnoses were retinopathy of prematurity (ROP; 72.7% [P < 0.01]; stage 3, 4.8%; stage 4A, 44.4%; stage 4B, 22.4%; stage 5, 26.4%), familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (7.0%), abusive head trauma (4.1%), persistent fetal vasculature (3.5%), congenital cataract (1.7%), posterior capsular opacification (1.7%), rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (1.7%), congenital X-linked retinoschisis (1.2%), Norrie disease (2.3%), and viral retinitis (1.2%). Mean surgical time was 143±59 minutes for both eyes. Higher ROP stage correlated with longer surgical time (P = 0.02). There were no reported intraoperative ocular complications. During the immediate postoperative period, 2 eyes from different patients demonstrated unilateral vitreous hemorrhage (0.6%). No cases of endophthalmitis, choroidal hemorrhage, or hypotony occurred. Mean total anesthesia time was 203±87 minutes. There were no cases of anesthesia-related death, malignant hyperthermia, anaphylaxis, or cardiac event. There was 1 case of reintubation (0.6%) and 1 case of prolonged oxygen desaturation (0.6%). Mean follow-up after surgery was 103 weeks, and anatomic success and globe salvage rates were 89.8% and 98.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study found ISBVS to be a feasible and safe treatment paradigm for pediatric patients with bilateral vitreoretinal pathologic features when repeated general anesthesia is undesirable or impractical.