[Cryocoagulation of the retina in retinopathy of prematurity]

Of 246 systematically screened prematurely born infants, the majority with high neonatological risk, 12 developed a retinopathy of prematurity of at least Stage 3 according to the international classification of 1984, and underwent transconjunctival cryocoagulation. At a follow-up examination at age 6 months and later, there were no retinal changes apart from coagulation scars in 7 of the treated eyes; in 7 eyes slight connective tissue proliferations were seen (stage 1 cicatrization), in 4 eyes peripheral connective tissue proliferations with macula traction (stage 2 cicatrization), and stage 4 or 5 cicatrization in 2 eyes each. Five eyes were myopic, 2 of them severely so, and 4 eyes had a positive gamma angle. Unfavorable prognosis was indicated by a large avascular zone, preoperative stage 4, and early occurrence and rapid progression of retinopathic stages.