Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: It has been reported that a dense pattern of laser photocoagulation (649, average laser spots) may be more beneficial than a less dense pattern (457, average laser spots) in the treatment of threshold retinopathy of prematurity. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of a near confluent pattern with the reported dense pattern of diode laser pan-retinal photocoagulation in reducing the rate of progression of zone 2 threshold retinopathy of prematurity. Methods: Retrospective review of the charts of patients that underwent panretinal photocoagulation for zone 2 threshold retinopathy of prematurity from 1998 to 2001. A total of 27 eyes from 14 patients were treated. Laser spots were placed in a near confluent pattern in the peripheral avascular retina between the ridge of extraretinal proliferation and the ora serrata. The average number of laser spots was 2027 per eye. Results: None of the patients had progression of retinopathy, progression being defined as the development of stage 4 or 5 disease. None of the patients needed more than one treatment. Patients tolerated the procedure well and there were no complications at the time of the procedure or on follow-up visits. Conclusion: Our results indicate that a near confluent pattern of laser photocoagulation may reduce the retreatment rate of retinopathy of prematurity in zone 2 (0%) in comparison to the reported dense treatment (37.5%). The near confluent pattern of treatment also reduces the rate of progression of the disease. Larger studies are needed to further confirm our findings.
Keywords: 572 retinopathy of prematurity • 454 laser • 554 retina