Laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity: evolution in treatment technique over 15 years

To assess the number of laser burns applied to the peripheral retina to treat retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a recent population of patients and to compare that number with historical data.

The authors performed a retrospective chart review of all patients treated for ROP within a single practice from 2002-2004. There were 183 eyes from 93 patients. Sufficient data for analysis were available on 112 eyes from 57 patients. Data from these patients were compared to those of patients reported upon in 1991.

The average number of laser burns applied to the 112 eyes was 2163. Eyes with zone 1 disease had an average of 3077 spots and those with zone 2 disease had an average of 2072 spots. Greater than three months follow-up was available on 42 eyes from 21 patients. Of those eyes, 90% had complete regression of ROP. In an initial report of laser treatment for ROP by several of the same authors in 1991, the average number of laser burns applied for treatment of ROP was 816. There was a 265% increase in the average number of laser applications from the early study to the present.

The data indicate that there has been a trend towards more confluent laser treatment to the avascular zone in ROP.