[Slit-lamp laser photocoagulation with a quadraspheric contact lens for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity].
OBJECTIVE
To present our experience of slit-lamp laser photocoagulation with a pediatric quadraspheric contact lens for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).


METHODS
8 eyes of 4 premature babies with threshold ROP were consecutively treated under general anesthesia by means of blue-green argon laser photocoagulation delivered through a table mounted slit-lamp and a wide field contact lens specially designed for infants. Three of the treated eyes had a zone I disease, 2 a posterior zone II disease and 3 a zone II disease. Mean follow-up was 13 months.


RESULTS
Early complete regression of the neovascular proliferations and plus disease was observed in all the treated eyes (100%) without apparent sequela. In only one eye that had zone I disease a mild and small peripheral vitreous hemorrhage was observed. Neither cataract nor posterior synechia was observed. A discrete and transient badly hypothermia occurred only in one case.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows the efficacy and precision of slit-lamp argon laser photocoagulation through a quadraspheric contact lens in ROP, with a very low rate of complications, and with a magnificent and comfortable visualization of all the structures to be treated. Each retinal burn was easily and very precisely placed from the ridge to the ora serrata in 360 with only a slight to moderate tilting of the wide field lens and without the need of scleral depression.
Urrets-Zavalia
J
J
Centro de la Visión, Clínica Reina Fabiola, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Oncativo 1290, Córdoba (5000), Argentina.
Urrets-Zavalia
E
E
Iros
M
M
D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000601:surgery*