title: Diode laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity: structural and functional outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The anatomical and functional outcome of 13 babies with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treated with binocular indirect ophthalmoscope diode laser photocoagulation was assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen babies (25 eyes) at median postmenstrual age (PMA) 25.5 weeks and median birth weight 725 g were treated with binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (BIO) diode laser photocoagulation when threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was detected at median PMA 35 weeks. Retinopathy was more severe in the nasal retina in 15 eyes. The median severity of retinopathy was 6 clock hours grade 3 disease. All babies were treated under general anaesthetic with no significant ocular or systemic complications during treatment. The median number of burns was 1200.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Resolution of active retinopathy occurred 1-2 weeks following treatment in all but one baby. All eyes had favourable anatomical and functional outcome as defined by the Cryo-ROP study group at a median age of 19.5 months of follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BIO diode laser treatment is as effective as cryotherapy with less morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Fleck
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Laing
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity