[Course of retinopathy in premature infants treated by cryopexy]. / Evolution de la rétinopathie du prématuré traitée par cryopexie.

ABSTRACT

Beneficial effect of cryopexy on 180 degrees to 360 degrees of avascular retina was demonstrated in 7 prematurely born infants (14 eyes) affected with advanced retinopathy of prematurity. Intravitreous new vessels were present in all eyes before treatment. The treatment of one eye was supplemented with scleral indentation. Only one of the treated eyes went on unfavourably with retrolental fibroplasia and consecutive loss of visual acuity. We believe that cryopexy, when administered promptly, when limited to the avascular zone, and when supplemented with scleral indentation in cases with important vitreous traction, is a valuable treatment with fewer risks than unchecked evolution for advanced cases of retinopathy of prematurity.