Outcome of Diode Laser Photocoagulation for Threshold and Prethreshold Retinopathy of Prematurity

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes after diode laser photocoagulation between threshold and prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: The outcomes of 133 eyes of 80 infants who received laser treatment with diode laser were retrospectively evaluated. ROP stage was noted upon treatment. Of the eyes studied, 39 were classified as threshold and 94 were prethreshold, and these were further divided into type 1 (72 eyes) and type 2 (22 eyes). Outcomes among the groups were examined, as well as the effects of mean birth weight, gestational age, postconceptional age (PCA) at diagnosis, PCA at treatment, and the interval between diagnosis and treatment RESULTS: Three threshold eyes (7.7%) and 5 prethreshold eyes (5.3%) progressed to unfavorable outcomes. All 5 eyes with prethreshold disease were type 1. Mean birth weight and gestational age were not associated with prognosis. Unfavorable outcomes were related to lower PCA at diagnosis (p=0.022), lower PCA at treatment (p=0.008), and longer intervals between diagnosis and intervention (p=0.015), whereas neither birth weight nor gestational age significantly influenced outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Unfavorable outcomes occurred in threshold and type 1 prethreshold ROP. Earlier treatment appeared to decrease the incidence of unfavorable outcomes.