Results of cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity.

Results are presented from a case material of 22 prematurely born infants (43 eyes) who received cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP); 20 eyes were treated at stage 3, 14 at stage 3 plus, and nine at stage 4A. Follow-up examinations at the age of 26 to 52 months (average 38 months) showed regression of ROP in all eyes and visual acuities of 6/60 or better. The timing of cryotherapy is discussed. The present experience indicates treatment earlier than recommended by the US Cryotherapy of Retinopathy of Prematurity Study Group. There are, as yet, no reliable clinical criteria that can predict which eyes will progress from stage 3 to stages 4 or 5 (tractional retinal detachment or retrolental fibroplasia). Hence, infants at risk should be repeatedly examined and a progression towards impending retinal detachment diagnosed.