Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects of Pediatric Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment on Senegalese Black Population

Background: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in children is particular by its severity and challenging treatment. Purpose: To describe the clinical and therapeutic characteristics of pediatric rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Method: We retrospectively included files of pediatric patients (aged 0 to 15 years), clinically diagnosed with rhematogenous retinal detachment (RRD) between January 2015 and June 2019. The ophthalmological examination was as complete as the age of the patients allowed and a pediatric examination was systematically performed in all children. The data has been processed with Excel 2016 software. Results: 16 eyes of 11 patients were included. The hospital frequency of RRD was 3.37%, with a sex ratio of 1.75 and a mean age of 11.9 years. The average consultation time was 2 months. Contusive eye trauma was reported in 31.25% and myopia in 18.75%. The visual acuity ranged from no light perception to 20/400. The RRD was total in 81.25% and retinal lesions were found in 43.75%, including 25% atrophic holes and tears with lattice degeneration, 12.5% temporal retinal dialysis and one giant tear. Stage B of Proliferative vitreoretinopathy was found in 18.75% and stage C in 56.25%. Scleral buckling was performed in 37.5% and 23G pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil in 18.75%. The mean duration of follow-up was 24.6 months with anatomical success in 77.7% correlated with functional recovery in 55.5%. The RRD was persistent in one case and a recurrent RRD under silicone was observed in one eye. Two children underwent cataract surgery secondary to vitrectomy, and one case of ocular hypertonia under silicone was noted. Conclusion: Pediatric rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a severe disease, with essentially traumatic etiology in older children. Delayed diagnosis is a factor in poor prognosis.