Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the characteristics of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in micro-premature (<750 grams) neonates before and after the use of intravitreal anti-VEGF agents.
Methods :
Retrospective, consecutive, case-matched, single-physician series from a tertiary care center. Micro-premature (<750g) neonates were 1:1 case-matched by gestational age (GA), birthweight (BW), and plus disease status to neonates seen prior to the advent of intravitreal bevacizumab for ROP (pre-2008).
Results :
During the study period (1990-2019), 1009 micro-premature infants were diagnosed with ROP, of whom 55 were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB). Compared to matched controls, this IVB-treated group had a greater proportion of zone I disease (58% vs 18%) but had less severe ROP staging (29% vs 78% stage III disease). No patients in either cohort progressed to stage IV or V disease or required surgery. The IVB-treated group had an overall retreatment (IVB or laser photocoagulation) rate of 24% versus 9% in matched controls.
Conclusions :
Micro-premature infants in the bevacizumab era (post-2008) had a higher proportion of zone I disease but less severe staging compared to matched controls (pre-2008). The finding of less severe staging corroborates the efficacy of IVB identified in the BEAT-ROP study. The trend towards more posterior disease was also noted when all ROP patients were analyzed in aggregate and may reflect the adoption of lower oxygen saturation targets that occurred in 2010.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.