Diode laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity. Preliminary results.

In a prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing transscleral cryotherapy with laser photocoagulation in the treatment of "threshold" stage 3+ retinopathy of prematurity, 32 infants were treated with diode laser photocoagulation in one eye. Twenty-eight infants have been followed up for at least 3 months, and seven have been followed up for at least 1 year. Twenty-five of 28 eyes treated with diode laser photocoagulation and followed up for at least 3 months have undergone regression. Of 24 fellow eyes treated with cryotherapy and followed up for at least 3 months, 20 have undergone regression. All seven eyes treated with diode laser photocoagulation and followed up for at least 1 year have undergone regression. Of seven fellow eyes treated with cryotherapy and followed up for at least 1 year, all have undergone regression. Our results suggest that diode laser photocoagulation is as effective as cryotherapy in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity.