Outcomes of Scleral Buckling for Stage 4 Retinopathy of Prematurity in Thai Children
Mansing Ratanasukon MD*, Siriraksa Visaetsilpanonta MD*, Supaporn Tengtrisorn MD*, Anuchit Kittantong MD*, Chakree Hirunpat MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine,Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla
Objective : To evaluate the anatomical and visual results of a primary scleral buckling procedure for the
treatment of stage 4A and 4B retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Thai patients.
Materials and Methods : The data of premature infants treated with a primary scleral buckling procedure for
stage 4 ROP from December 2000 to May 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. The outcomes measures were
anatomical success, visual outcomes, and refractive error at the end of follow-up.
Results : Sixteen eyes of ten patients underwent a scleral buckling procedure and had the mean follow-up
period of 17.3 months (range 3-44 months). The anatomical success was 100% (8 of 8 eyes) in stag 4A and
50% (4 of 8 eyes) in stage 4B. At the end of the follow-up, the buckle was removed in 92% (11 of 12 eyes) of
retina-attached eyes and showed a mean myopic refraction of -8.68 diopters (range -4.75 to 13.50). Favorable
visual outcome was 50% (4 of 8 eyes) in stage 4A and 12.5% (1 of 8 eyes) in stage 4B.
Conclusion : Scleral buckling appears to play a role in reducing the progression from stage 4 to stage 5 ROP.
The anatomical success rate was excellent but the visual results remain challenging for these cases.
Keywords : Scleral buckling, Retinopathy of prematurity, Thai patients
