Efficacy and safety of green laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity.
OBJECTIVE
To report the efficacy and safety of green laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).


METHODS
We reviewed the clinical records of the neonates who had undergone green laser photocoagulation for threshold ROP at the Federal University of Pernambuco in Brazil between January 2004 and January 2006. All procedures were conducted with local anesthetic drops. The neonates were monitored throughout the procedure by a neonatologist. A frequency-doubled solid state laser, diode-pumped, with 532 nm wavelength was used. The presence of tunica vasculosa lentis or cataract were excluded before laser treatment. The following preoperative data were obtained for each patient: age, birth weight and the grade of ROP. Postoperative data included complications associated with the laser treatment, grade of ROP and evaluation whether further surgery was necessary due to failure of laser photocoagulation.


RESULTS
Twenty-two neonates underwent photocoagulation with green laser for threshold ROP. A total of 31 eyes were included in the study. The mean gestational age was 30 +/- 3 weeks and the mean birth weight was 1120 +/- 490 g. Regression of the disease after laser therapy was observed in 30 eyes (96.7%). Despite treatment one eye presented stage 4A. Only 7 eyes required repetitive laser therapy. No adverse effects such as burning anterior segment tissues or bleeding in the anterior chamber occurred. No posterior segment side-effects were observed. Cataract formation was not observed at the last follow-up examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Green laser photocoagulation remains an effective and safe alternative to red laser photocoagulation and to cryotherapy in the treatment of threshold ROP.
Lira
Rodrigo Pessoa Cavalcanti
RP
Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil. rodrigopclira@hotmail.com
Calheiros
Antônio Bezerra de Melo
AB
Barbosa
Manuela Maria Valença Cordeiro
MM
Oliveira
Cristiano Viana de
CV
Viana
Sabrina Lima Siqueira
SL
Lima
Danielle Cabral
DC
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome