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Diode laser photocoagulation in retinopathy of prematurity
I González1, C Ferrer, M Pueyo
1Service of Ophthalmology, Hospital Infantil Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain.
Insights
Diode laser photocoagulation effectively treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in infants. This treatment showed favorable outcomes in 73% of eyes, with minimal complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Early intervention is crucial for managing ROP and preventing severe visual loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of diode laser photocoagulation for treating retinopathy of prematurity.
- To assess treatment outcomes in eyes with threshold and prethreshold ROP.
Main Methods:
- Diode laser photocoagulation was applied to 22 eyes of 12 patients diagnosed with ROP.
- Treatment was administered within 72 hours of diagnosis, utilizing topical anesthesia and sedation.
- Patients were followed for at least six months to one year post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Favorable outcomes were observed in 57% of eyes with threshold ROP and 100% of eyes with prethreshold ROP.
- Overall, 73% of treated ROP eyes achieved favorable outcomes.
- Minimal ocular complications (no anterior segment lesions, hemorrhages) and negligible external inflammatory signs were noted. Systemic complications occurred in only three sessions.
Conclusions:
- Diode laser photocoagulation is an easily performed and effective treatment for retinopathy of prematurity.
- The procedure demonstrates significant efficacy in prethreshold ROP and also shows promise in threshold ROP cases.
- The treatment is associated with minimal ocular and systemic complications, making it a safe therapeutic option.
Abstract:
We used diode laser photocoagulation to treat 22 eyes of 12 patients with retinopathy of prematurity. Three infants were followed for at least six months and nine for at least one year. We treated 14 eyes with threshold disease and 8 eyes with prethreshold disease. The treatment was administered within 72 hours of diagnosis and topical anesthesia and sedation were used. No evidence of lesions of the anterior segment of preretinal or vitreous hemorrhages was found after the treatment. External inflammatory signs were neglibible. Systemic complications occurred only in three treatment sessions. Eight of the 14 eyes with threshold disease (57%) and all eight eyes with prethreshold disease had favorable outcomes. In total 73% with ROP had favorable outcomes. Treatment with the diode laser is easily performed, effective essentially in cases of prethreshold disease but in threshold disease too, with minimal ocular or systemic complications.