title: Diode laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity. Preliminary results.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Retina Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tasman
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Vander
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D003452:Cryosurgery; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008028:Light Coagulation; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012086:Reoperation; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome