4. Conclusion

session. In stage 3 zone 1 ROP cases, regression was achieved after one laser session in 26 eyes, whereas in four eyes, two laser sessions were required to stabilize the disease. In AP-ROP cases, two laser sessions were necessary in 6 of the 13 eyes. Statistical tests proved that regression rate was significantly worse in AP-ROP eyes as compared with stage 3 zone 2 and

Within the group of 25 eyes in which ROP failed to regress, 14 belonged to the male gender

The type of pregnancy (single or multiple) did not influence the outcome: ROP regressed in 132 of the 149 treated eyes coming from single pregnancies (88.59%) and in 53 of the 61 eyes

Macular dragging was identified in three eyes, all from the AP-ROP group. Complications related to laser treatment were represented by two cases of mild anterior uveitis that responded

We evaluated the timing of the laser treatment according to two parameters: PNA and PCA at treatment. Treatment was performed at PNA of 8 weeks or less in 118 eyes (56.19%) and at PNA of more than 8 weeks in 92 eyes (43.80%). Within the first group, ROP regressed in 101 eyes (85.59%), and within the second group, ROP regressed in 84 eyes (91.30%). According to the chi-square test, the difference is not statistically significant. PCA at treatment was equal or less than 37 weeks in 123 eyes (58.57%) and more than 37 weeks in 87 eyes (41.42%). Within the first group, ROP regressed in 112 eyes (91.05%), and within the second group, ROP regressed in 78 eyes (89.65%). This difference is not statistically significant, according to

Within the group of 210 treated eyes, 84 belonged to premature infants with BW equal to or less than 1000 g (40%) and 126 eyes (60%), to premature infants with BW of more than 1000 g. ROP failed to regress in nine eyes from the first group (10.71%) and in 16 eyes from the second

GA was 28 weeks or less in 116 eyes (55.23%) and more than 28 weeks in 94 eyes (44.76%). Within the first group, ROP regressed after laser treatment in 104 eyes (89.65%) and in the second group ROP regressed in 81 eyes (86.17%). The difference is not statistically significant.

The premature infants in our series who needed laser for the treatment of ROP had higher BW (1121 g) and older gestational ages (28 weeks) than their counterparts in the United States (830 g BW average and 26 weeks GA average). The oldest treated infant was born at 33 weeks PCA and the heaviest treated infant was 1700 g, both beyond the screening criteria in the United States. The practical impact of this observation is that each country/region has to apply its own screening criteria for ROP. If criteria from the USA or from Western Europe had been

Because of the short window of opportunity during which the laser is effective, timely recognition of the disease is crucial for the positive result of the treatment. In our series, PCA and

group (12.69%). The statistical tests proved that the difference is not significant.

applied, many ROP cases had been lost with subsequent visual loss.

(56%) and 11 to the female gender (44%). The difference is not statistically significant.

stage 3 zone 1 ROP (odds ratio = 13.53, relative risk = 7.79, P < .001).

coming from multiple pregnancies (86.88%).

118 Laser Technology and its Applications

the chi-square test.

3.6. Discussion

promptly to mydriatic and anti-inflammatory eye drops.

Indirect diode laser photocoagulation of the non-vascular retina is a major tool in preventing ROP-related blindness. In order for the laser treatment to be effective, proper screening and timely recognition of ROP are crucial. Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections improved the outcome of laser treatment in severe forms of the disease, but laser remains the golden standard in the treatment of ROP.
