Abstract
Purpose: :
To assess clinical outcomes of babies with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who were laser treated at earlier stages than ET-ROP (Early treatment for retinopathy of prematurity) cooperative group recommended.
Methods: :
Retrospective chart review was performed for the babies who were treated for their retinopathy of prematurity during the period between April 2010 and May 2011 at Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital in Busan, Korea. Babies were included in the study if they were laser treated at stage 2 with pre-plus disease, or at stage 3 without plus or with pre-plus disease at zone II. Exclusion criteria were; babies who were classified into type 1 ROP (by ET-ROP classification) at the time of the laser treatment; intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab before the laser treatment; and less than 3-month follow up.
Results: :
Twenty six eyes of 14 babies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study (23 eyes with ROP stage 2 pre-plus disease; 2 eyes with stage 3 without plus or pre-plus sign; and 1 eye with stage 3 pre-plus disease). Mean gestational age and body weight at birth was 27.3 weeks (range, 24.6-32.4), and 1063.8 gram (range, 490-1830), respectively. Mean gestational age at the time of the laser treatment was 34.7 weeks (range, 32.6-39.4). Additional laser treatment was required in 2 eyes of one patient. Intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab was performed after the laser treatment in 4 eyes of two patients. Regression of the ROP was observed in all patients after the treatments and no patient required vitrectomy or buckling surgery during the follow up period (mean, 7.0 months; range, 3-14 months).
Conclusions: :
Laser treatment at earlier stages than ET-ROP indication in selected babies with ROP showed excellent anatomical outcomes alleviating the need for operation. Longer follow up at a larger scale should be warranted.
Keywords: retinopathy of prematurity