Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of lateral canthotomy, sub-tenon anesthesia injection, and the use of modified speculum for gaining adequate surgical exposure during surgery for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Fourteen eyes of 10 consecutive patients undergoing microincisional vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) for stage 4 and stage 5 ROP were included. There was a significant widening of the palpebral fissure height and length using this technique. No patient developed a lens injury during the surgery. All the canthotomy incisions completely healed at a four-week follow-up visit. This is a safe and effective technique for increasing surgical exposure in cases of ROP requiring vitrectomy.
Keywords: Lateral canthotomy; lens-sparing vitrectomy; pediatric vitrectomy; retinopathy of prematurity; surgical exposure.