title: Efficacy and safety of green laser photocoagulation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil. rodrigopclira@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Rodrigo Pessoa Cavalcanti
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Lira
authors.forename: Antônio Bezerra de Melo
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Calheiros
authors.forename: Manuela Maria Valença Cordeiro
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Cristiano Viana de
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Sabrina Lima Siqueira
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Viana
authors.forename: Danielle Cabral
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lima
mesh_terms: 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