Laser therapy in ROP: a literature review and our experience

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious, vision threatening disease and among the leading causes of irreversible loss of vision. It affects prematurely born children, predominantly prior to the 32nd GW or with a body weight at birth below 1500 g. The highest risk for the development of ROP includes the time period of two weeks before to two weeks after the supposed due date. Materials and Methods: We included 10 prematurely born children with ROP requiring therapy. All of the children were screened by indirect ophthalmoscopy and the condition was documented by RetCam imaging. The treatment was conducted by the application of 810 nm diode laser. Results: Nine out of the 10 children were born before 32 GW and were with a body weight at birth below 1500 g. The disease was bilateral in 9 of the children. Laser therapy was applied to all 10 children and 18 eyes. Discussion and Conclusion: The active ophthalmological screening of all children born before 32 GW and with a body weight at birth below 1500 g, including all new-born children at risk, and the application of early laser treatment are the basis for the prevention of the development of irreversible visual loss.