Transscleral Laser Photocoagulation and Cryocoagulation of the Retina in Retinopathiesof Premature Infants

Overview

The objective of the work was to compare the effectiveness of transscleral laserphotocoagulation and cryocoagulation of the retina in the treatment of retinopathyof premature infants (ROP). During the period from March 1999 to April 2001at the Ophthalmological Clinic for children and adults in the Motol FacultyHospital 80 eyes of 40 children with the borderline stage of ROP were treated. In40 eyes cryocoagulation was performed, in 40 transcleral photocoagulation of theretina. The mean gestation age of the infants on delivery was 28.7 weeks, thepostconception age at the timeofoperation36.7weeks.Thefollowupperiod variedfrom 1 to 24 months. All therapeutic provisions were made with premedicationand under local anaesthesia. For a stabilized finding without progression we tookan adherent retina without subsequent traction changes. Cryocoagulation wassuccessful in 87.5 %, laser photocoagulation in 85 %.Both methods proved equallyeffective. In photocoagulation the authors recorded a lower incidence of localcomplications. General undesirable effectswere not recorded inany of the treatedchildren. Transscleral photocoagulation extends contemporary therapeutic possibilitiesin patients with ROP.

Key words:
transscleral laser photocoagulation, cryocoagulation,borderline stageof ROP