Changes in the visual field after photocoagulation or cryotherapy in children with retinopathy of prematurity.

We examined the visual field in 13 children (26 eyes) who had had retinopathy of prematurity for which photocoagulation or cryotherapy was administered more than 10 years previously. Defects of the visual field observed in the periphery of the temporal side corresponded to the sites of photocoagulation scar formation and to areas severely affected by retinopathy of prematurity. In addition, sensitivity in some patients was reduced over the entire visual field. It has been established that treatment with photocoagulation and cryotherapy is effective in preventing the progression of retinopathy of prematurity. However, on the basis of our results, we recommend that the use of photocoagulation and cryotherapy be minimized to prevent the progression of visual field defects.