Laser treatment of zone I prethreshold and stage 3 threshold retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To analyze the structural outcomes of zone I prethreshold and stage 3 threshold retinopathy of prematurity following laser ablation.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

This nonrandomized observational case series evaluated 71 eyes of 36 infants who weighed less than 1,250 g at birth. Infants were treated at either prethreshold or threshold severity. The structural outcomes were compared using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

The structural outcome was favorable in 96% and 80% of the prethreshold and threshold groups, respectively (P = .069). When an unfavorable outcome was defined as dragging of the temporal vessels, the difference was significant (P = .0257).

CONCLUSION

Early treatment of zone I disease may result in a better structural outcome.