The Effect of Cryotherapy on Stage 3 Retinopathy of Prematurity

ABSTRACT

Sixteen eyes of 8 premature infants with stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity were treated with cryotherapy. Transconjunctival or transscleral cryotherapy was applied to the avascular retina with a cataract cryoprobe under general anesthesia. The mean follow up period was 8.2 months with a range of 4.5 to 14 months. Twelve(75%) of 16 treated eyes showed complete resolution of retinopathy of prematurity, while 4(25%) of 16 treated eyes showed cicticial change: 1 eye became cicatricial Grade I and 3 eyes Grade II.