Background: To evaluate the surgical results of patients with persistent fetal vasculature (PFV), also known as persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV).
Methods: From 1991 to 2001, a retrospective, noncomparative study of 7 eyes of 7 patients diagnosed with PFV was conducted. In each case, type of anterior and/or posterior PHPV findings, preoperative testing, surgical procedures, and visual outcomes were obtained from the records. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 43 months, with a mean of 15 months.
Results: Of the 7 eyes, one (14%) had strictly anterior PFV, 1 (14%) had strictly posterior PFV, and 5 (71%) had components of both anterior and posterior disease. Initial lens aspiration only was performed in 3 (43%) eyes. Initial vitrectomy only was performed in 1 eye (14%). Initial lensectomy and vitrectomy was performed in 3 (42.8%) eyes. The reoperation rate was 43% for membrane reproliferation, glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment. Final best-corrected visual acuity ranged from light perception only to 20/70 on the Snellen chart.
Conclusions: Functional vision is possible in selected patients. However, poor final visual outcome despite adequate anatomic success were noted in this study. The poor outcomes might have been due to patients delaying vitrectomy until retinal detachment developed or that the patients had poor compliance with postoperative ocular rehabilitation.