Functional and anatomical outcomes following surgical management of persistent fetal vasculature: a single-center experience of 44 cases

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the functional and anatomical outcomes following surgical management of persistent fetal vasculature (PFV). Methods: Single-center, retrospective, interventional consecutive case series of 41 patients (44 eyes) who underwent vitrectomy with or without lensectomy through a limbal or pars plana/plicata approach with diagnosis of anterior, posterior, or combined anterior and posterior segment PFV were included. Results: The median age at the time of surgery was 3 months (range, 1–36 months), and the mean follow-up period was 37.2 ± 38.1 months (range, 12–164 months). Of the 44 eyes, 5 (11%) had clinical and ultrasonographic findings of anterior PFV, 5 (11%) had posterior PFV, and 34 (78%) had components of both anterior and posterior disease. At the last visit, 38 eyes (87%) were aphakic, 5 eyes (11%) were phakic, and 1 eye (2%) was pseudophakic. The mean Snellen equivalent VA at the final visit for the 14 (32%) eyes with measurable VA was 20/283. Nine (20%) eyes had final VA of only light perception or no light perception. The remaining 21 (48%) eyes behaved consistently with form vision, but the patients were not able to report VA. Conclusions: Most of the eyes achieved at least form vision, with acceptable postoperative complication rates. Functional and anatomical outcomes are not strictly dependent on axial length, and microphthalmic eyes with mild posterior segment involvement have the potential for good visual results. Outcomes after surgery for posterior PFV associated with tractional retinal detachment are limited. Anatomical success does not always equate to functional improvement.