Retinal Detachment In Children

Abstract

Retinal detachment in children was felt ot behave differently than adults. A study was then arranged to evaluate this. Children below the age of 12 years presenting to out patients department of institute of ophthalmology, Mayo hospital, Lahore with rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were included in the study. The minimum visual requirement was perception of light. Any child with a history of previous retinal surgery was excluded. The retina was studied in detail. They were then operated by one surgeon and result compared with results in adults. The study was of one calendar year (1994). The results indicated a much higher incidence of retinal dialysis, less aggressive proliferative vitreoretinopathy and a better prognosis than adults. The prognosis of retinal detachment surgery is better for children and this maybe due to a healthier pigment epithelium combined with the fact that media are clearer than adults and breaks are identified in a higher percentage of children.