Diode laser photocoagulation in retinopathy of prematurity.

We used diode laser photocoagulation to treat 22 eyes of 12 patients with retinopathy of prematurity. Three infants were followed for at least six months and nine for at least one year. We treated 14 eyes with threshold disease and 8 eyes with prethreshold disease. The treatment was administered within 72 hours of diagnosis and topical anesthesia and sedation were used. No evidence of lesions of the anterior segment of preretinal or vitreous hemorrhages was found after the treatment. External inflammatory signs were neglibible. Systemic complications occurred only in three treatment sessions. Eight of the 14 eyes with threshold disease (57%) and all eight eyes with prethreshold disease had favorable outcomes. In total 73% with ROP had favorable outcomes. Treatment with the diode laser is easily performed, effective essentially in cases of prethreshold disease but in threshold disease too, with minimal ocular or systemic complications.