Outcomes after laser therapy for threshold retinopathy of prematurity

OBJECTIVE: To determine the anatomic outcomes of eyes treated with laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity and to identify potential risk factors for unfavorable outcomes after treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. INTERVENTION: Photocoagulation of the peripheral avascular retina with an argon or diode laser indirect ophthalmoscope. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty eyes of 81 infants with threshold retinopathy of prematurity treated with laser photocoagulation from 1989 through 1997 with at least 12 months of follow-up after treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The principal outcome was the presence of an unfavorable anatomic outcome defined as a retinal detachment, macular fold, or retrolental tissue. RESULTS: One hundred nine of 120 eyes (91%) had favorable outcomes. Eleven eyes (9%) had retinal detachments, and 1 of the 11 also had retrolental tissue. Zone 1 eyes appeared to be 3.3 times more likely to have an unfavorable outcome compared with zone 2 eyes, but the 95% confidence interval (0.8-14.5) did not support this statistically. Twenty-four of 109 eyes (22%) experienced dragging of the temporal vessels. Those with zone 1 disease were 13.7 times more likely to experience temporal dragging compared with zone 2 eyes (95% confidence interval, 3.3-57.2). CONCLUSIONS: After laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity, 91% of eyes had a favorable anatomic outcome. Compared with zone 2 eyes, zone 1 eyes may be more likely to have temporal dragging of the retinal vessels. Laser therapy is effective in the treatment of threshold retinopathy of prematurity.     

Clinical outcome of confluent laser photoablation for retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: During the past decade, laser photoablation has supplanted cryotherapy as the standard treatment for threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We evaluated the progression and the complication rate in a cohort of infants with threshold ROP treated with a confluent technique. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 47 patients with ROP (91 eyes), treated with confluent diode laser photoablation. Four main outcomes were evaluated: (1) the rate of progression, (2) the frequency of laser retreatment, (3) postoperative complications, and (4) postoperative refractive error. RESULTS: A mean of 1943 +/- 912 laser burns were administered in a confluent pattern to 91 eyes with threshold ROP. Progression to stage 4 or 5 disease occurred in 13 of 29 eyes (44.8%) with zone I and posterior zone II and in 2 of 51 eyes (3.9%) with anterior zone II ROP (P =.01). Eyes with anterior zone II ROP that received more than or equal to 2000 burns progressed more than those that received fewer than 2000 burns. Only 1 eye (1%) needed a supplemental laser treatment. Postoperative complications included corneal edema (2.3%), anterior segment ischemia (2.3%), vitreous hemorrhage (7.9%), posterior synechiae (2.3%), cataract (4.9%), and macular ectopia (12%).The mean spherical equivalent at the last follow-up was -4.52 +/- 5.63 D. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, infants received more laser burns than infants reported in the literature receiving scatter or near-confluent treatment. While confluent treatment almost eliminated supplemental treatment, it was associated with a similar rate of progression and complications as has been reported with other patterns of laser treatment.     

Acquired cataracts after diode laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE: To report the incidence of acquired cataract after diode laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity at our institution. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-three infants (293 eyes) with threshold retinopathy of prematurity. INTERVENTION: Transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Acquired cataract formation. RESULTS: One cataract (0.003%) in 293 eyes occurred after transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation. This cataract consisted of peripheral cortical punctate lenticular opacities that were not progressive or visually significant. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of acquired cataract after transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity is low. Transpupillary diode laser photocoagulation may be safer than argon laser photocoagulation for treatment of threshold retinopathy of prematurity.     

Diode laser treatment of pre-threshold and threshold retinopathy of prematurity

Purpose: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a sight‐threatening condition of premature infants. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of diode laser photocoagulation in the treatment of pre‐threshold and threshold ROP. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who underwent diode laser treatment for ROP by one author (GAG) from 1992 to 2000. During this time, 2137 babies <1500 g birthweight or <32 weeks post‐conception age were examined. Results: Seventy‐six eyes in 40 infants (20 male, 20 female) were treated for ROP. Treatment was performed on average at 37 weeks post‐conception age (range 31?50 weeks, SD = 3.2). The number of burns per eye for the first session of laser ranged between 193 and 1937 (mean 933), with power ranging from 200 to 1000 mW (mean 484). Eighteen (45.0%) of these 40 infants underwent a second session of laser (mean number of burns 683, range 167?1618), which was performed in 29 (38.2%) of the 76 eyes that initially underwent laser treatment. Complete regression was observed in 61 eyes (80.3%), occurring on average at 39 weeks post‐conception age (range 35?45, SD = 2.2). Six (7.9%) eyes progressed to stage IVA disease, two (2.6%) to stage IVB and three (3.9%) to stage V ROP. In the latter part of the study as the number of laser burns per eye increased it was found that the number of patients requiring a second session of laser treatment decreased, with no adverse outcomes observed in the last 3 years of the study. At last follow up, the average refractive error in the treated eyes was ?0.40 D spherical equivalent (range ?12.75 D to +4.25 D, SD = 3.0). The degree of myopia induced showed no significant correlation with the number of laser burns administered. Conclusion: Diode laser treatment is able to stop progression of ROP in the majority of cases.     

高危阈值前和阈值病变早产儿视网膜病变激光光凝治疗疗效分析

目的 观察激光光凝治疗高危阈值前和阈值病变早产儿视网膜病变（ROP）的临床疗效和安全性。方法 临床检查确诊的97例ROP患儿186只眼纳入研究。其中,高危阈值病变88只眼,阈值病变98只眼。186只眼中,1区病变70只眼,2区病变116只眼。所有患儿均在全身麻醉下采用波长为810 nm的Iridis激光机经双目间接检眼镜输出进行激光光凝治疗。治疗后随访35～852 d,平均随访时间(316±274) d。观察病变完全消退和病变进展情况。结果 186只眼中,病变完全消退168只眼,占90.3%;出现局部纤维增生10只眼,占5.4%;进展为局限性视网膜脱离8只眼,占4.3%。高危阈值病变组88只眼中,病变完全消退84只眼,占95.5%;病变进展4只眼,占4.5%。阈值病变组98只眼中,病变完全消退84只眼,占85.7%;病变进展14只眼,占14.3%。两组病变完全消退率比较,差异有统计学意义（χ2=3.98,P＜0.05）。1区病变70只眼中,病变消退56只眼,占80.0%;病变进展14只眼,占20.0%。2区病变116只眼中,病变消退112只眼,占96.6%;病变进展4只眼,占3.4%。1区病变进展眼数明显高于2区病变进展眼数,差异有统计学意义（χ2=11.86,P＜0.01）。未观察到与治疗相关的并发症。结论激光光凝治疗高危阈值前和阈值病变ROP均有较好疗效,提前干预能减少其不良预后;无与治疗相关的并发症发生。     

Combined treatment with laser photocoagulation and cryotherapy for threshold retinopathy of prematurity

PURPOSE: To report the structural, functional, and refractive outcome, safety, and effectiveness of combined cryotherapy and diode laser indirect photocoagulation in the treatment of threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: Medical records of patients developing threshold ROP between 1995 and 2003 were reviewed to identify those with combined treatment and followed up for at least 4 years postoperatively. A total of 94 patients (172 eyes) received combined treatment. Data consisted of grade of ROP pre- and postoperatively, most recent fundus examination, birthweight, visual acuity, complications, and refraction. Diode laser was used to ablate posterior avascular retina, and cryotherapy was used for anterior retina. RESULTS: A total of 149 (87%) eyes responded to combined treatment and they had favorable anatomic outcome at last examination. In 131 eyes (76%), functional outcome was favorable (visual acuity better than 20/200) at last examination. Perioperative complications included hemorrhages in 26% of eyes, which resorbed spontaneously. Mean duration of treatment was 31 minutes/eye. At final visit (4 to 12 years), 115 eyes (66.8%) refracted were myopic, of which 26 (22.5%) had high myopia over -6 diopters. CONCLUSIONS: Combined cryotherapy and diode laser photocoagulation for ROP in our patients resulted in regression of threshold ROP with relatively successful structural and functional outcomes. Combined therapy may be faster and useful for eyes with very posterior ROP. This may decrease the number of complications occurring when excessive cryotherapy or laser photoablation must be used in zone 1 ROP.     

Angle-closure glaucoma after laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity

Laser photocoagulation has become the standard for treatment of retinopathy of prematurity. In general, it has been found to be a safe and effective means of retinal ablation. We report a case of angle-closure glaucoma in an infant after diode laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity, which required bilateral surgical peripheral iridectomies.     

早产儿视网膜病变筛查和阈值期治疗的研究

目的研究早产儿视网膜病变(ROP)的发生率,评估ROP阈值期治疗效果。方法使用双目间接检眼镜对108例早产儿进行ROP筛查,将筛查结果进行统计学分析,达到阈值病变的患儿及时进行视网膜激光光凝或经巩膜、视网膜冷凝术。结果筛查108例早产儿,发现ROP23例,发生率为21.3%。在所有ROP患儿中,ROP1期13例,占56.5%;ROP2期3例,占13.0%;ROP3期7例,占30.4%。其中ROP3期患儿均伴有附加病变,达到阈值病变标准。ROP患儿出生体重为(1.43±0.25)kg(t=4.059,P<0.001);孕周为(31.0±2.3)周(t=2.637,P=0.013);吸氧时间为1~49d,平均17d(n=23,Z=-3.630,P<0.001);需要机械辅助呼吸患儿18例(χ2=12.009,P=0.001);上述指标与非ROP患儿比较,差异均有统计学意义;而与是否多胎的差异无统计学意义(χ2=1.013,P=0.314)。Logistic回归分析:出生体重低(β=-2.542,OR=0.079,P=0.032)和使用机械辅助呼吸(β=1.341,OR=3.823,P=0.025)的患儿是发生ROP的相关高危因素。7例阈值期病变患儿中,6例进行激光光凝或冷凝治疗。术后随访2个月至2年,手术眼的结构和视功能未见异常。1例阈值期病变患儿未予治疗,于1个月后出现视网膜脱离。结论出生体重轻、孕周少、吸氧时间长、需要机械辅助呼吸的早产儿发生ROP的风险较高。对阈值期病变患儿应及时进行激光光凝或冷凝治疗。     

Retinal detachment and phthisis bulbi after implantation of an iris prosthetic system

We report 2 eyes of 2 patients who developed persistent inflammation, hypotony, and total retinal detachment after secondary implantation of an iris prosthetic system (IPS) in association with cataract surgery. The first patient had an uneventful history of 16 years despite a retained intraocular glass foreign body and the second patient, of 38 years after sustaining penetrating corneoscleral injury with iris tissue loss. Both patients were thoroughly assessed clinically, and the enucleated globe in the first patient was examined by light microscopy. Both eyes had chronic inflammation with retrocorneal and cyclitic membrane formation around the artificial iris-lens diaphragm. These cases suggest that implantation of an IPS combined with cataract surgery can trigger decompensation of posttraumatic eyes that had been stable over a long period.