Good visual outcomes attainable in eyes with anterior persistent fetal vasculature

Results of a prospective interventional case series indicated that good visual outcomes can be obtained in eyes with anterior persistent fetal vasculature after surgical intervention, with a reasonable complication rate.

Researchers evaluated 33 eyes with persistent fetal vasculature (PFV). Patients were between 1 month old and 24 months old at the time of surgery. All patients had unilateral PFV, and they did not have associated systemic malformations.

The study was conducted at two centers from January 2000 to December 2006.

Eyes underwent surgery with a standardized technique. Small plaques had plaque peeling, and larger plaques had partial excision. Extensive capsulectomy with anterior two-port limbal vitrectomy was performed on lenses that converted into fibrovascular tissue, and microphthalmic eyes did not have an IOL implanted.

Results showed that 10 eyes developed microcornea. The lenses of 10 eyes converted into fibrovascular mass, and four of these had associated prominent ciliary process. Surgeons performed anterior continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis in 23 eyes and manual posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis in three eyes.

Posterior capsule plaque was seen in 20 eyes intraoperatively. Thirty-one eyes underwent two-port limbal anterior vitrectomy, and two had pars plana vitrectomy. Sixteen eyes had IOLs implanted, and 17 were left aphakic.

Overall, visual acuity was stable in 11 eyes and improved in 22 eyes at 3 years.

“Good visual outcomes can be obtained in eyes with anterior PFV after surgical intervention, with an acceptable rate of serious postoperative complications,” the study authors said.

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Source:

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012:38(5);849-857.