A Comparison of Cryotherapy Versus Transscleral Diode Laser Photocoagulation for the Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity

PURPOSE: To determine whether transscleral diode laser photocoagulation is as effective as cryotherapy for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: Thirty-six eyes of 18 infants with acute ROP were treated with cryotherapy and 32 eyes of another 16 infants with acute ROP were treated with transscleral diode laser photocoagulation. RESULTS: The transscleral diode laser photocoagulation group had 94% favorable outcome, whereas the cryotherapy group had 78% favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that transscleral diode laser photocoagulation is as effective as cryotherapy for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.

Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy in Three Families

PURPOSE: Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) is a vitreoretinal dystrophy which has multiple modes of inheritance and variable clinical expressions. Thus it is important to screen the whole familial members carefully. We have observed 7 patients of 3 unrelated families. METHODS: To rule out other diseases, whole members were examined by indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral depression or slit lamp biomicroscopy with Goldmann three mirror. When possible, fluorescein angiography was done. RESULTS: All 7 patients had no history of prematuriry, low birth weight and oxygen supplementation. They exhibited various clinical expressions of the disease process. Two patients showed fibrovascular masses with dragged disc and tractional retinal detachment. The others showed only avascular retina in temporal periphery. It was difficult to identify the mode of inheritance because we could not examine enough members.