[Transcleral laser photocoagulation and cryocoagulation of the retina in children with retinopathy of prematurity].

The objective of the work was to compare the effectiveness of transscleral laser photocoagulation and cryocoagulation of the retina in the treatment of retinopathy of premature infants (ROP). During the period from March 1999 to April 2001 at the Ophthalmological Clinic for children and adults in the Motol Faculty Hospital 80 eyes of 40 children with the borderline stage of ROP were treated. In 40 eyes cryocoagulation was performed, in 40 transcleral photocoagulation of the retina. The mean gestation age of the infants on delivery was 28.7 weeks, the postconception age at the time of operation 36.7 weeks. The follow up period varied from 1 to 24 months. All therapeutic provisions were made with premedication and under local anaesthesia. For a stabilized finding without progression we took an adherent retina without subsequent traction changes. Cryocoagulation was successful in 87.5%, laser photocoagulation in 85%. Both methods proved equally effective. In photocoagulation the authors recorded a lower incidence of local complications. General undesirable effects were not recorded in any of the treated children. Transscleral photocoagulation extends contemporary therapeutic possibilities in patients with ROP.