K. Vanselow et al., Visual outcome in 2-year-old children after cryocoagulation of threshold retinopathy of prematurity, OPHTHALMOLO, 96(12), 1999, pp. 786-791
Background: The results of the Cryo-ROP group showed that cryotherapy signi
ficantly reduces the rate of adverse morphological and functional outcome o
f eyes with threshold retinopathy of prematurity. Structural status and vis
ual acuity of 48 eyes which consecutively underwent cryocoagulation in our
hospital between 1990 and 1994 were examined at 2 years corrected gestation
al age.
Method: Visual acuity and fundus morphology were examined by Teller acuity-
cards test, retinoscopy, orthoptic status and fundus examination. A favoura
ble grating acuity was defined as greater than or equal to 2.2 cy/degrees,
a favourable morphology as no pathological or mild findings at the level of
the posterior pole or stage 4 a.
Results: Fifty-six % of cases reached a quantifiable grating acuity between
0.32 and 13.0 cy/degrees, 42% reached a favourable functional outcome, and
69% of the eyes had a morphologically favourable outcome. Fifty-five % of
the measurable eyes were myopic, and 29% had a high myopia greater than or
equal to -6.0 D. 47% showed a heterotropia.
Conclusions: Our results show a discrepancy between morphological and funct
ional outcome. Especially for zone 1 eyes, cryocoagulation of the avascular
retina does not seem to allow a favourable morphological and functional ou
tcome.