6 patients with persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) were operated on using microsurgical techniques. There were 5 boys and 1 girl, all with normal birth weight and good general health. PHPV was present in the left eye in 4 patients, in the right eye in 1, and 1 patient had bilateral PHPV. The operative management consisted of a primary large-sector iridectomy (in 4 cases) and suction of the lens, combined with removal of the hyperplastic vitreous using a Klöti Vitreous Stripper in 5 patients, and small anterior chamber scissors in 1 patient. No major operative complications were experienced. The fundus was fully visible in 5 cases while in 1 eye remaining and new proliferations prevented visualization of the fundus. Postoperative visual acuity varied from light perception to 0.2 and the intraocular pressure was within normal limits. It was felt that a useful reserve eye was obtained, with marked improvement of the ocular cosmesis.