Treating retinopathy of prematurity with laser diode photocoagulation

AIM: The purpose of the study was to assess the outcomes of the diode laser in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity and to discuss the up-to-date possibilities of treating of active phase of this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 96 children (185 eyes) treated with diode laser retinal photocoagulation for active stage 3 of ROP in our department in years 1996-2000. RESULTS: Favorable structural outcome was observed in 83.8% of treated eyes. In the remaining eyes the disease progressed despite of the treatment and falciform retinal fold (5.4%), partial retinal detachment (6.5%) and total retinal detachment (4.3%) developed. No serious complications were observed after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Diode laser retinal photocoagulation is a safe and effective procedure for treating active stage 3 of retinopathy of prematurity. It has been especially useful for treatment of changes in zone 1 and 2 of the disease. Diode laser photocoagulation is now the preferred method of treating active stage 3 of ROP in our department.