Diode laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity - Six years experience

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding disease in the premature infants. Timely cryotherapy has been proved to be effective to prevent visual loss. Recently, laser photocoagulation has been suggested as an favorable alternative to cryotherapy. In this study, we evaluate the surgical results of diode laser photocoagulation in the treatment of ROP. From January 1991 to June 1996, 60 eyes of 32 infants were treated with diode laser photocoagulation for progressive stage 3 ROP. The gestational age ranged from 24 to 32 weeks. The birth body weight ranged from 638 to 1470 g. Post conceptional age was 31 to 44 weeks at the time of the treatment. General anesthesia was used in 13 infants, while the other 19 infants received intravenous sedation and topical anesthesia. Diode laser was applied to all the avascular area of the retina. Patients were followed for at least 3 months after the laser treatment. Fifty-three eyes (88.3%) showed regression of ROP after one session of the treatment. ROP in two eyes regressed after the second session of the treatment. Five eyes (8.3%) progressed to retinal detachment. Minimal intraocular inflammation was noted after the treatment. Our findings suggest the usefulness of diode laser photocoagulation in the treatment of ROP.