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Transscleral diode laser in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity
Insights
Contact transscleral diode laser (TSDL) effectively treated threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in most infants. This laser photocoagulation offers a promising alternative to cryotherapy for ROP management.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatal care
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of blindness in premature infants.
- Threshold ROP requires timely intervention to prevent severe visual impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of contact transscleral diode laser (TSDL) photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Main Methods:
- TSDL was applied to 14 eyes of 8 infants diagnosed with threshold ROP.
- The study included infants with a median post-conceptual age of 26+1 weeks and median birthweight of 835g.
- Follow-up ranged from 9 to 41 weeks.
Main Results:
- Successful regression of ROP with good anatomical outcome was observed in 11 eyes (79%) after a single TSDL treatment.
- Unfavorable responses, including traction retinal detachment and fibrotic bands, occurred in 3 eyes (21%).
- No significant complications directly related to the laser treatment were reported.
Conclusions:
- Contact transscleral diode laser (TSDL) photocoagulation demonstrates effectiveness in treating threshold ROP.
- TSDL presents a technically straightforward and viable alternative to traditional cryotherapy for ROP management.
Purpose:
To assess the outcome of contact transscleral diode laser (TSDL) in the treatment of threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Method:
TSDL was performed in 14 eyes of 8 babies who presented to the paediatric ophthalmic service at King's College Hospital between 1996 and 1997 with threshold ROP (median post-conceptual age 26 + 1 weeks, median birthweight 835 g) by a single surgeon. Follow-up ranged from 9 to 41 weeks (median 21 weeks).
Results:
In 11 eyes (79%) regression of ROP occurred after a single laser treatment with a good anatomical outcome. In 3 eyes (21%) there was an unfavourable response with the development of traction retinal detachment. These include both eyes of one baby who rapidly progressed to stage IV ROP. One other eye developed a fibrotic band a few months after treatment. No significant complications of laser treatment were observed.
Conclusion:
These initial results indicate that TSDL photocoagulation is an effective and technically straightforward alternative to cryotherapy in the treatment of ROP.