ABSTRACT
Because no previous studies have addressed the issue, we describe clinical characteristics and surgical outcome of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment [RRD] in a pediatric population of the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. We conducted a retrospective review of all consecutive cases of pediatric RRD [0-18 years] patients presenting at Dharhran Eye Specialist Hospital, a tertiary care hospital, in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia over a period of 3 years. Twenty patients were included in the study, accounting for 9.4% of all retinal detachment surgery cases performed over a period of 3 years [January 2006 to December 2008]. The median age was 11.0 years, [range, birth to 18 years]. Trauma, [45%] myopia/vitreoretinal degeneration [10%] and prior ocular surgery [25%] were significant risk factors for RRD. Proliferative vitreoretinopathy [PVR] more than grade C was present in 14/20 [70%] of cases. Most patients [15/20, 75%] were treated with pars plana vitrectomy and placement of an encircling buckle, while silicone oil or gas was used as tamponade in 13/20 [65%] patients. Surgery was successful in 17/20 [85%] cases in achieving retinal re-attachment. Visual acuity improved significantly following surgery [Mean preop 2.146 LogMAR, Mean postop 1.497 LogMAR] [P=.014]. Longer duration of RRD [P=.007] and macular involvement [P=.05] were associated with worse anatomical outcomes following surgery. Pediatric RRD in the Eastern province is often associated with predisposing pathology. Surgery is successful in achieving anatomical reattachment of the retina in a majority of cases with improvement of visual acuity