Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in children requires that sclerotomy placement be adjusted for changing dimensions of the ciliary body during ocular development. Experience with an aged-based method for sclerotomy placement is described.

Using data from previously reported morphometric studies on ciliary body length by age, an age-based method was used for planning sclerotomy location in children between 1 month and 18 years of age. Sclerotomies were placed 1.5 mm posterior to the limbus in those aged 1 to 6 months, 2.0 mm in those 6 months to 1 year, 2.5 mm in those 1 to 2 years, 3.0 mm in those 2 to 6 years, and 3.5 mm in those 6 to 18 years.

Between 1993 and mid-2005, 82 pediatric PPV procedureswere performed using this scheme. None of the 82 procedures were complicated by inadvertent lens trauma or retinal perforation during sclerotomy placement.

The age-based method for sclerotomy placement may provide a useful guideline for vitrectomy in children with normal ocular growth and development.