Aim: To present the long-term structural and functional outcome of children treated with diode laser for retinopathy of prematurity.
Patients and methods: A total of six premature babies (12 eyes) in whom diode laser treatment was performed for acute retinopathy were followed up. The mean birth weight was 1185.0 +/- 309.6 g and mean gestational age was 28.5 +/- 1.87 weeks. Long term follow-up (18 to 41 months) included retinal examination, refractive status of the eye, and orthoptic evaluation: strabismus, amblyopia and nystagmus assessment.
Results: Unfavorable structural outcome was detected in five eyes of six children (5/12 eyes, 41.7%). If only the eyes in no higher than threshold stage (3+) according to surgery records were taken in consideration (6/12 eyes), therapy resulted in favorable structural outcome in all six (100%) eyes. The mean spherical equivalent refractive error was -2.27 +/- 2.03 D (range -6.0 to +0.50 D). Profound amblyopia of one eye was found in five of six study children, and was invariably accompanied by heterotropia of the amblyopic eye: deviation in eso direction in three cases, and exodeviation and hypertropia in one case each. Nystagmus was present in four of six (66.6%) patients. All six children used vision as a dominant sense in space orientation and communication.
Conclusion: Diode laser therapy is a successful method in stopping and reversing the clinical course of severe retinopathy of prematurity, however only if timely implemented. The availability of this treatment modality in Croatia would significantly improve the structural and functional outcome of children with retinopathy.