Macular hard exudates and scar formation after laser photocoagulation in retinopathy of prematurity.

The authors report the formation of hard exudates and macular scarring after laser photocoagulation therapy in patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Two premature neonates, the first born at 24 weeks and the second at 25 weeks gestational age, were diagnosed as having ROP that necessitated laser photocoagulation treatment at 32 and 36 weeks, respectively. Subretinal fluid and macular hard exudation developed in both patients that eventually caused bilateral macular scarring. Subretinal macular fluid with hard exudation could lead to macular scar formation in neonates with ROP after laser photocoagulation that could significantly affect the visual prognosis in preterm infants.