Background: Laser photocoagulation in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) appears to have fewer adverse effects and to be at least as effective as cryotherapy.

Methods: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of diode laser photocoagulation we examined 50 eyes affected by stage 3+ ROP in 30 very low birth weight infants (gestational age 24-29 weeks, mean +/- SD 26.5 +/- 1.4 weeks; birth weight 480-1400 g, 898 +/- 208 g) in a prospective (uncontrolled) clinical study. Photocoagulation treatment was performed using a diode laser (810 nm) with a laser indirect ophthalmoscope delivery system. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 23 months (10.5 +/- 6.4 months).

Results: In 46 (92%) of the 50 eyes ROP regressed after a single laser treatment and the outcome was a flat, attached retina. Two eyes (4%) had a second laser session and one other eye (2%) had additional retinal detachment surgery, resulting in the regression of ROP and a flat, attached retina. Thus, the success rate was 98% (49 out of 50 eyes). In 1 (2%) of the 50 eyes treatment failed and ROP progressed to stage 5, although additional retinal detachment surgery was performed. No adverse side effects of diode laser treatment were noted, except for a small amount of retinal/preretinal bleeding in the ridge in 8 eyes (16%) and slight postoperative anterior chamber bleeding in 1 eye (2%) with dense tunica vasculosa lentis. There were neither lenticular opacities nor cataract formation.

Conclusions: Diode laser photo coagulation using the laser indirect ophthalmoscope for stage 3+ ROP was easy to administer. Laser treatment had only minor side effects and was at least as effective as cryotherapy.