Diode laser ablation for threshold retinopathy of prematurity: short-term structural outcome.

OBJECTIVE To describe short-term structural outcomes and associated ocular complications in premature infants treated with diode laser ablation for retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS The records of all infants who were diagnosed as having threshold retinopathy of prematurity and treated with diode laser therapy at our hospital from January 1, 1992, through December 31, 1996, were retrospectively reviewed. Sixty-four eyes reached threshold during this period. Three eyes received cryotherapy in addition to laser treatment and were excluded, leaving 61 eyes eligible for review. RESULTS Of the 61 eyes with threshold disease treated exclusively with diode laser, 4 (7%) had zone I disease and 57 (93%) had zone II disease at the time of initial laser treatment. Three (5%) of the 61 eyes progressed to stage 4 disease (2 eyes, stage 4A; 1 eye, stage 4B). There were no cataracts or other ocular complications noted secondary to laser treatment based on short-term follow-up (mean follow-up, 120 days). CONCLUSION In this population of infants, diode laser ablation appears to be a safe and effective treatment for threshold retinopathy of prematurity.