Treatment success of laser therapy for retinopathy of prematurity in referred and non-referred patients.

PURPOSE: Comparison of laser therapy (LT) outcomes in patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) followed up in our clinic and referred from other centers.

METHODS

Medical records of 1,856 ROP patients were retrospectively evaluated, and a total of 128 patients who underwent LT were included in the study. The study population was divided into the following two groups: patients who were followed up and treated in our clinic (group 1, N=45) and patients who were referred to our clinic from other centers (group 2, N=83). Data regarding birth weight, sex, gestational age, postnatal treatment time, disease localization, and stage were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Treatment success was defined by anatomic success 6 months after treatment.

RESULTS

Patients in the referred group presented with a more advanced disease (p<0.01), a lower treatment success rate (p=0.01), and a longer time interval between diagnosis and LT (p=0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment success rate of ROP was significantly lower in referred patients because of the potential delay in LT and more advanced disease at the time of treatment initiation.