Diode laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity. Preliminary results
J. A. McNamara, W. Tasman, J. F. Vander and G. C. Brown
Retina Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
In a prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing transscleral
cryotherapy with laser photocoagulation in the treatment of "threshold"
stage 3+ retinopathy of prematurity, 32 infants were treated with diode
laser photocoagulation in one eye. Twenty-eight infants have been followed
up for at least 3 months, and seven have been followed up for at least 1
year. Twenty-five of 28 eyes treated with diode laser photocoagulation and
followed up for at least 3 months have undergone regression. Of 24 fellow
eyes treated with cryotherapy and followed up for at least 3 months, 20
have undergone regression. All seven eyes treated with diode laser
photocoagulation and followed up for at least 1 year have undergone
regression. Of seven fellow eyes treated with cryotherapy and followed up
for at least 1 year, all have undergone regression. Our results suggest
that diode laser photocoagulation is as effective as cryotherapy in the
treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.
