RESUMO
PURPOSE: It is to report the efficacy and safety of an argon laser photocoagulation which was the treatment modality for retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: From March 1996 to December 1999, on 69 prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity, they were series of observations following periods of two to five days, one week, two weeks, four weeks, three months and one year time respectively. RESULTS: We noticed the regressions in 84 prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity cases as well. CONCLUSIONS: The report emphasized the advantages of the argon laser photocoagulation which reduce the risk from a general anesthesia by applying a topical anesthesia, and the safety of using laser technique of convenience to apply and minimize the tissue damages of the lesions. It also described the preferable consequent results following the early treatment with divided applications on the prethreshold cases.