Combined use of argon laser photocoagulation and cryotherapy in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to describe results of combined use of argon laser photocoagulation and cryotherapy in the treatment of stage 3+ retinopathy of prematurity in a non-controlled clinical series of 6 premature children with a birth weight of 545-1610 g (mean 914 g) and a gestational age of 24-31 weeks. Both treatment modalities were performed in the same session, and in 5 cases both eyes were treated. Inactivation of the proliferative process was obtained with one treatment session in 3 cases, with two treatment sessions in 3 cases. No serious late sequelae of retinopathy of prematurity developed in any of the eyes, one eye has an ectopic macula and esotropia, and one child has high myopia (-8.0 D) and exotropia. Laser treatment is less irritating and the scars are less pronounced compared with cryocoagulation, but in some cases treatment of the most anterior retina with laser is difficult. Combination of the two treatment modalities may in these cases give the best result.

Combined Treatment with Laser Photocoagulation and Cryotherapy for Threshold Retinopathy of Prematurity

“…Combined use of cryotherapy and laser photocoagulation has been reported previously to be effective (18). In this study we add our experience with 94 additional patients.…”

“…Cryotherapy could be used to treat anteriorly and laser to treat posteriorly, with greater technical ease, shorter treatment duration, and perhaps decreased risk of cataract or anterior segment ischemia. To our knowledge, such combination therapy has only been reported once before (18). We report our experience with the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of combining cryotherapy and diode laser photocoagulation for the treatment of threshold ROP.…”

Perioperative management and post-operative course in preterm infants undergoing vitreo-retinal surgery for retinopathy of prematurity: A retrospective study

“…There are many case reports about anesthetic management and post-operative course of preterm infants for laser photocoagulation;[6] however same for ROP Stage IV and V is limited. Post-operatively, these infants are usually transferred to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in view of risk of apnea and bradycardia.…”