Ranibizumab after laser photocoagulation failure in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anatomical and functional outcomes of the two-stage treatment of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using laser photocoagulation and intravitreal ranibizumab injection. The medical records of 53 eyes of 28 infants treated by conventional laser photocoagulation with deferred intravitreal 0.25 mg/0.025 mL ranibizumab injection were analysed. All patients had at least 11 months of follow-up. In the analysed group, the mean gestational age at birth was 25 weeks and mean birthweight was 790 g. The mean time of laser photocoagulation was 34 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA). Ranibizumab injection was performed on average at 37 weeks of PMA. The mean time between interventions was 19 days. Retinal detachment occurred in 12 eyes (22.6%), in three children bilaterally. Visual responses were obtained in 23 of 28 treated children. Our results indicate that ranibizumab injection can be taken into consideration in the selected cases of laser photocoagulation failure. The unsatisfactory results of this study elicited a change in the ROP treatment protocol in our medical centre. The study gives an insight into anatomical and functional outcomes of ROP treatment in the Central and Eastern European population.

Morphologic, Electrophysiologic, and Visual Function Parameters in Children with Non-Glaucomatous Cupping of Prematurity.

The aim of this study was to compare morphologic, electrophysiologic, and visual function parameters in non-glaucomatous cupping of prematurity to those of controls. Twenty children (7 to 18 years) with non-glaucomatous cupping of prematurity were prospectively recruited, along with 20 controls. Visual function parameters, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and visual evoked potentials (VEP) parameters were measured. RNFL thickness was reduced in children with non-glaucomatous cupping of prematurity compared with controls. VEP P100 amplitude was significantly lower in children with non-glaucomatous cupping of prematurity than in the control group. Kinetic perimetry visual fields were normal in all but one patient. Static perimetry revealed increased overall pattern defect in children with non-glaucomatous cupping of prematurity compared with controls. Despite these morphological, electrophysiological, and subtle visual field defects, many other visual function parameters, such as visual acuity, color vision, and contrast sensitivity, appear similar to normal controls.