Visual outcome in 2-year-old children after cryocoagulation of threshold retinopathy of prematurity

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.