Laser treatment of zone I prethreshold and stage 3 threshold retinopathy of prematurity

Zsuzsa Récsán1, Rita Vámos, György Salacz

  • 1Second Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.

Insights

Early laser ablation for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in zone I may improve structural outcomes. Treatment at prethreshold severity showed a trend toward better results than threshold severity ROP.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neonatology
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
  • Zone I ROP is associated with a higher risk of severe visual loss.
  • Laser ablation is a common treatment for ROP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the structural outcomes of zone I prethreshold and stage 3 threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) after laser ablation.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of early intervention for ROP in zone I.

Main Methods:

  • A nonrandomized observational case series included 71 eyes of 36 infants weighing less than 1,250 g at birth.
  • Infants were treated for either prethreshold or threshold ROP severity.
  • Structural outcomes were compared using Fisher's exact test.

Main Results:

  • A favorable structural outcome was observed in 96% of the prethreshold group and 80% of the threshold group (P = .069).
  • Dragging of temporal vessels, an unfavorable outcome, was significantly more frequent in the threshold group (P = .0257).

Conclusions:

  • Early treatment of zone I retinopathy of prematurity may lead to better structural outcomes.
  • Prompt intervention before threshold severity appears to be beneficial in preventing unfavorable structural changes.
Abstract

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