DIODE-LASER TREATMENT FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY - STRUCTURAL ANDFUNCTIONAL OUTCOME

Aims-The anatomical and functional outcome of 13 babies with retinopat hy of prematurity (ROP) treated with binocular indirect ophthalmoscope diode laser photocoagulation was assessed. Methods-Thirteen babies (2 5 eyes) at median postmenstrual age (PIMA) 25.5 weeks and median birth weight 725 g were treated with binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (BIO ) diode laser photocoagulation when threshold retinopathy of prematuri ty (ROP) was detected at median PMA 35 weeks. Retinopathy was more sev ere in the nasal retina in 15 eyes. The median severity of retinopathy was 6 clock hours grade 3 disease. All babies were treated under gene ral anaesthetic with no significant ocular or systemic complications d uring treatment. The median number of burns was 1200. Results-Resoluti on of active retinopathy occurred 1-2 weeks following treatment in all but one baby. All eyes had favourable anatomical and functional outco me as defined by the Cryo-ROP study group at a median age of 19.5 mont hs of follow up. Conclusion-BIO diode laser treatment is as effective as cryotherapy with less morbidity.