Late reactivation of retinopathy of prematurity in an adolescent after administration of anty-vascular endothelial growth factor

Introduction. Since the widespread introduction of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), there have been increasing reports of late reactivation of ROP following this treatment. Objective. To present the treatment tactics for reactivation of ROP after intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF using a clinical case as an example. Material and methods. Patient S., date of birth — June 25, 2013, was born premature; at the age of 1.5 months, surgical treatment was performed for the active phase of ROP-intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF (ranibizumab). He was treated at the ophthalmology department of the Russian Children’s Clinical Hospital since June 2024 with a diagnosis of OU: late reactivation of ROP. A combined surgical treatment was performed: repeated administration of anti-VEGF, microinvasive vitrectomy, laser ablation of the retina. Results. A positive result was achieved in terms of retinal reattachment and reduction of vascular activity. Conclusion. Considering the existence of a lifelong risk of serious complications after ROP, including reactivation of ROP at an older age decades later, careful follow-up of this group of patients using modern diagnostic methods is necessary. Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity, intravitreal injections, antivascular endothelial growth factor, reactivation