SHORT-TERM COMPUTER-ASSISTED QUANTIFICATION OF PLUS DISEASE AFTER TREATMENT OF TYPE 1 RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY WITH INTRAVITREAL BEVACIZUMAB OR RETINAL LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION.

PURPOSE: To compare objectively measured changes in plus disease after bevacizumab and laser for Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity.

METHODS

ROPtool (a computer program) analyzed fundus images at baseline, 1 week, and subsequent examinations.

RESULTS

Six infants (9 eyes) were treated with bevacizumab and 7 (12 eyes) with laser. One week after treatment, bevacizumab compared with laser resulted in a greater median percent change from pretreatment in tortuosity (-53.8 vs. -0.2%, P < 0.001) and overall plus disease (-20.1 vs. -3.1%, P < 0.001). Change in dilation did not differ (-3.5 vs. -5.5%, P = 0.48). After week 1, all median ROPtool parameters continued to decrease for both groups. At last follow-up (median 3, range: 2-10 weeks), both bevacizumab and laser significantly decreased tortuosity (-54.3 and -23.8%), dilation (-8.7 and -7.5%), and overall plus disease (-27.3 and -10.3%).

CONCLUSION

Improvement in plus disease, in particular tortuosity, likely occurs more quickly after bevacizumab compared with laser, particularly at 1 week after treatment. These results guide clinical expectations for plus disease resolution after both treatment modalities.