Subretinal organization in stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity.

Background: The subretinal organization (SRO) seen in patients who undergo vitrectomy for stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity has not previously been characterized. We report our observations of SRO and correlate its development with previous laser and cryotreatment for neovascular disease.
Methods: We surveyed data from 426 eyes in a retrospective chart review of 263 patients that underwent open-sky vitrectomy for stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity.
Results: Of 426 eyes evaluated, 130 eyes received laser, cryo, or a combination of both treatments. In 44 eyes (10.3%), SRO was observed and considered the cause of incomplete retinal attachment. Three forms of SRO were identified: subretinal bands (63.6%), subretinal plaques (15.9%), and diffuse SRO (18.2%). One patient had both a band and a plaque. SRO developed in 24 eyes after cryotreatment, 3 after laser, and 2 after combination cryo and laser treatment. Fewer untreated eyes than cryotreatment eyes developed SRO (15 of 296 eyes, 5.1%; ( P=0.0001). Eyes without laser or cryotreatment had a 5.1% frequency of developing SRO.
Conclusion: Subretinal organization, a previously uncharacterized entity in retinopathy of prematurity, was most frequently identified in the form of subretinal band formation. SRO was identified in 10.3% of all stage 5 eyes evaluated, and was associated with incomplete retinal reattachment in all cases.