Aetiology and epidemiology of surgical vitreoretinal presentations in an Australian paediatric population: A seven-year retrospective study

Background

Paediatric vitreoretinal pathology is distinct from adult cases in both presentation and surgical planning. Here we aim to report the aetiology and epidemiology in children 0–18 years requiring vitreoretinal surgery at a major tertiary paediatric hospital in Queensland, Australia.

Methods

Retrospective review of cases requiring vitreoretinal surgery between May 2015 and October 2022 was conducted. Demographics, ocular and medical history, surgical pathology, procedures performed, and epidemiology data were retrieved. Patients were grouped into three main aetiologies: traumatic, syndromic, or secondary.

Results

A total of 124 patients, the majority male (87, 70.2%) with a mean age of 10.3 years underwent vitreoretinal surgery. Trauma accounted for 32.3% of cases requiring surgery of which 47% were due to a penetrating eye injury. 35.5% were associated with a syndromic cause with common aetiology including coats, congenital cataract, sticklers, and retinopathy of prematurity. 32.3% developed secondary pathology and retinal detachment was the primary cause for surgery (55%). The average time from symptom onset to presentation was 30 days (SD 56.88) with patients living an average of 306.2 km (SD 558.9) away from the Queensland Children's Hospital. Older age was significantly associated with increased days to presentation in the traumatic group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study provides an insight into the aetiology and epidemiology of paediatric vitreoretinal presentations in Queensland, Australia.