Long-term outcomes of visual motor integration and motor development children with retinopathy of prematurity.

Premature infants have a risk of neurodevelopmental deficits. Little is known, however, about how retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) affects visual motor integration (VMI), which is necessary for both fine motor skills and further school abilities. Due to the systemic escape of bevacizumab in the treatment of ROP, concerns regarding the long-term neurodevelopmental effect of the drug have arisen. The aim is to evaluate VMI and motor development long-term outcomes after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection and laser treatment for ROP. Two groups of premature children were included: Bevacizumab group - 16 premature children who received IVB treatment and laser group - 23 premature children who underwent laser photocoagulation treatment in this single center cross-sectional study. At 2-6 years of age, VMI (Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test), motor development (Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2), visual acuity, and refractive status were assessed. The incidence of abnormal visual function was significantly higher in bevacizumab group than in laser group (p = 0.022). The incidence of abnormal VMI skill was significantly higher in bevacizumab group than in laser group (p = 0.024). Incidences of abnormal gross, fine, and total motor skills were significantly higher in bevacizumab group compared to laser group (p < 0.05). Premature children who received bevacizumab for ROP demonstrated significantly lower VMI and motor development features than those with laser treatment at preschool age. Although our results suggest the relevance of bevacizumab injection in impaired VMI and motor development outcomes, general level of sickness rather than treatment might be the cause of delayed motor development.

Non-surgical treatment of stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity.

BACKGROUND: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a major cause of visual impairment in premature infants, often requiring surgical interventions in advanced stages. This retrospective case series study investigates non-surgical management for Stage 4A ROP, specifically the use of combined laser therapy and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections. METHODS: Ten eyes from five infants with Stage 4A ROP were treated with a combined laser and anti-VEGF approach. Comprehensive follow-up examinations were conducted to evaluate the treatment outcomes. RESULTS: The study demonstrated successful retinal attachment without complications, showcasing the efficacy and safety of this non-surgical method. A comparison with surgical interventions highlighted the potential benefits in terms of reduced adverse effects. DISCUSSION: This combined treatment emerges as a promising first-choice option for Stage 4A ROP, offering rapid regression without surgical intervention, particularly in early stages. However, larger randomized clinical trials are necessary to validate these findings and establish definitive guidelines for managing this complex condition. CONCLUSION: Combined laser and anti-VEGF therapy proved to be an effective and safe non-surgical approach for Stage 4A ROP, with the potential to reduce the need for surgery, especially in its early presentation. Further research is required to confirm these findings and provide comprehensive recommendations for clinical practice.

Intravitreal Aflibercept vs Laser Therapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity: Two-Year Efficacy and Safety Outcomes in the Nonrandomized Controlled Trial FIREFLEYE next.

Importance: Prospective long-term data after retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections vs laser therapy are scarce. The FIREFLEYE (Aflibercept for ROP IVT Injection vs Laser Therapy) next trial is prospectively evaluating the long-term efficacy and safety outcomes following ROP treatment with intravitreal aflibercept vs laser therapy. Objective: To evaluate 2-year ophthalmic and safety outcomes after 0.4-mg aflibercept injection or laser therapy in the 24-week randomized (2:1) FIREFLEYE trial (FIREFLEYE outcomes previously reported). Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective nonrandomized controlled trial performed in 24 countries in Asia, Europe, and South America (2020-2025) follows up participants treated in the FIREFLEYE randomized clinical trial (2019-2021) through 5 years of age. Participants included children born very or extremely preterm (gestational age ≤32 weeks) or with very or extremely low birth weight (≤1500 g) who were previously treated with a 0.4-mg injection of aflibercept compared with laser therapy for severe acute-phase ROP. Data for the present interim analysis were acquired from March 18, 2020, to July 25, 2022. Interventions: Complications of ROP treated at investigator discretion (no study treatment). Main Outcomes and Measures: Efficacy end points included ROP status, unfavorable structural outcomes, ROP recurrence, treatment for ROP complications, completion of vascularization, and visual function. Safety end points included adverse events and growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Results: Overall, 100 children were enrolled (median gestational age, 26 [range, 23-31] weeks; 53 boys and 47 girls). Of these, 21 were Asian, 2 were Black, 75 were White, and 2 were of more than 1 race. At 2 years of age, 61 of 63 children (96.8%) in the aflibercept group vs 30 of 32 (93.8%) in the laser group had no ROP. Through 2 years of age, 62 of 66 (93.9%) in the aflibercept group and 32 of 34 (94.1%) in the laser group had no unfavorable structural outcomes. No new retinal detachment occurred during the study. Four children in the aflibercept group (6.1%) were treated for ROP complications before 1 year of age (2 had preexisting end-stage disease and total retinal detachment; 1 had reactivated plus disease; and 1 had recurrent retinal neovascularization not further specified). Most children were able to fix and follow a 5-cm toy (aflibercept group, 118 of 122 eyes [96.7%] among 63 children; laser group, 62 of 63 eyes [98.4%] among 33 children). High myopia was present in 9 of 115 eyes (7.8%) among 5 children in the aflibercept group and 13 of 60 eyes (21.7%) among 9 children in the laser group. No relevant differences in growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes by Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition were identified. Conclusions and Relevance: In this nonrandomized follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing treatment of severe acute-phase ROP with 0.4-mg injection of aflibercept and laser, disease control was stable and visual function was appropriate in children through 2 years of age. No adverse effects on safety, including growth and neurodevelopment, were identified. These findings provide clinically relevant long-term information on intravitreal aflibercept injection therapy for ROP. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04015180.

Comparing reactivation and retreatment for three doses of bevacizumab in type 1 retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To determine timing and rates of reactivation and retreatment of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) after treatment with either 0.125 mg, 0.250 mg, or 0.500 mg of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB). METHODS: Retrospective data, including demographic information, past medical history, and ROP characteristics were analyzed for babies with type 1 ROP treated with IVB at Riley Hospital for Children for the perioed 2014-2021. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients met inclusion criteria: 29 patients received 0.125 mg of IVB; 39, 0.250 mg; and 16, 0.500 mg. Of the 84, 67 (80%) had additional laser treatment because of late reactivation (n = 52) or persistent avascular retina (PAR) (n = 15). Subsequent laser treatment was more common with lower doses: 0.125 mg (n = 27 [93%]); 0.250 mg (n = 31 [80%]); 0.500 mg (n = 9 [57%]) (P = 0.012). There was no difference between groups with regard to reason for subsequent laser treatment (reactivation vs PAR). The 0.125 mg group required retreatment because of reactivation 3.8 weeks sooner than the other dosing groups (P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes comparing three doses of IVB for severe ROP showed a difference in the timing of secondary treatment, with the lower dosing group requiring laser for reactivation earlier.

Active versus restrictive ligation strategy for patent ductus arteriosus - A retrospective two-center study of extremely preterm infants born between 22 + 0 and 25 + 6 weeks of gestational age.

BACKGROUND: Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Mode and timing of treatment are still controversial. Data are limited in the most extremely premature infants <26 weeks of gestational age (GA), where clinical problems are most significant and patients are most vulnerable. AIMS: To investigate whether different approaches to surgical closure of PDA in two large Swedish centers has an impact on clinical outcomes including mortality in extremely preterm infants born <26 weeks GA. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, two-center, cohort study. SUBJECTS: Infants born at 22+0-25+6 weeks GA between 2010 and 2016 at Uppsala University Children's Hospital (UUCH; n = 228) and Queen Silvia Children's Hospital Gothenburg (QSCHG; n = 220). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). RESULTS: Surgical closure of PDA was more common and performed earlier at QSCHG (50 % vs 16 %; median age 11 vs 44 days; p < 0.01). Survival was similar in both centres. There was a higher incidence of severe BPD and longer duration of mechanical ventilation at UUCH (p < 0.01). There was a higher incidence of ROP, IVH and sepsis at QSCH (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.01). A sub-group analysis matching all surgically treated infants at QSCHG with infants at UUCH with the same GA showed similar results as the total cohort. CONCLUSION: Earlier and higher rate of surgical PDA closure in this cohort of extremely preterms born <26 weeks GA did not impact mortality but was associated with lower rates of severe BPD and higher rates of severe ROP.

Lensectomy as treatment for refractory or progressive retinopathy of prematurity narrow-angle glaucoma.

We present the case of a patient with a history of laser-treated retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who developed narrow angles and intermittent angle closure. Despite laser peripheral iridotomy/iridoplasty, 1 year later, the patient had recurrent narrowing that resolved following clear lens extraction with intraocular lens placement. This case highlights the importance of continued monitoring for narrow angles in patients with ROP history.

FIVE-YEAR VISUAL OUTCOME OF TREATMENT FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN INFANTS WEIGHING <500 G AT BIRTH: A Multicenter Cohort Study From J-CREST.

PURPOSE: To investigate the 5-year treatment outcomes of retinopathy of prematurity in infants <500 g birth weight and compare laser and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapies. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study comprised 24 eyes of 13 patients treated for Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity, followed for 5 years. Initial treatment was laser and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in 13 and 11 eyes, respectively. Data collected included sex, birth characteristics, retinopathy of prematurity characteristics at the time of treatment, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent, and astigmatism at 5 years posttreatment. RESULTS: Median BCVA was 0.15 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (interquartile range, 0.0-0.5). Snellen BCVA was ≥20/40 in 73% and ≥20/20 in 27% of eyes. Median spherical equivalent was -2.37 (interquartile range, -6.1 to -0.1); 75% had myopia (≤-0.5 D), and 25% had high myopia (≤-6.0 D). Median astigmatism was 1.25 (interquartile range, 0.9-3.0); 46% had ≥1.5 D. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor-treated eyes showed less myopia ( P < 0.009), with no BCVA or astigmatism difference ( P = 0.997, P = 0.271) compared with laser-treated eyes. CONCLUSION: One-quarter of the eyes exhibited good visual acuity (Snellen BCVA of ≥20/20) 5 years after retinopathy of prematurity treatment. Refractive errors were common. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy may be superior to laser therapy in myopic refractive error.

INCIDENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR EXUDATIVE RETINAL DETACHMENT FOLLOWING LASER PHOTOCOAGULATION FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY.

PURPOSE: Exudative retinal detachment (ERD) may result from laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity. Although risk factors have been hypothesized from case reports, comparative studies have not been reported. We sought to evaluate risk factors for ERD following laser, comparing affected and unaffected infants. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of infants undergoing retinopathy of prematurity laser at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia over 6 years. All received near-confluent laser of avascular retina. Demographic, medical, and procedural risk factors for ERD were evaluated in univariate analysis because of the rarity of ERD. RESULTS: Among 149 lasered infants, 6 infants (4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5%-8.6%) developed ERD. Race was a significant risk factor ( P = 0.01). Among 71 African American or Hispanic infants, 6 (8.5%, 95% CI 3.2%-17.5%) developed ERD. Among 78 non-African American or Hispanic infants, 0 (0%, 95% CI 0%-4.6%) developed ERD. There were no significant differences in the other studied factors. CONCLUSION: Exudative retinal detachment was uncommon (4%) following retinopathy of prematurity laser. Despite so few cases, darker pigmented race with likely increased pigmented fundi was significantly associated with an increased ERD risk. Further study may reveal whether increased choroidal pigment causes greater laser tissue damage or makes it difficult to discern the ora, resulting in inadvertent lasering of the ciliary body, leading to ERD.

RECENT TRENDS IN THE CUMULATIVE INCIDENCE AND INTERVENTION PATTERNS OF RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY IN JAPAN: A Multicenter Analysis, 2011-2020.

PURPOSE: To investigate recent trends in the cumulative incidence and treatment patterns of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Japan. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter cohort was conducted from 2011 to 2020 using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database. Preterm newborns with birth weight <2,500 g were categorized by birth weight. The cumulative incidence of ROP, treatment patterns, and association between treatment and birth weight were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 82,683 preterm infants were identified, of whom 9,335 (11.3%) were diagnosed with ROP. The cumulative incidence of ROP increased by 15% in those with birth weight <500 g over the study period. Among the ROP infants, 20.2% received treatment, including laser photocoagulation (94.8%), intravitreal injection (3.8%), or both (1.8%). The proportion receiving laser photocoagulation decreased followed by an increase in intravitreal injection. This shift in intervention pattern was most conspicuous for those with birth weight 750 to 1,249 g. The risk ratio of receiving laser and intravitreal injection for those weighing <500 g was 24.7 (95% confidence interval, 10.5-58.2) and 28.4 (5.8-138.1), respectively, as compared with infants weighing >1,500 g. CONCLUSION: The cumulative incidence of ROP increased in infants with birth weight <500 g. A shift from laser photocoagulation to intravitreal injection was observed in the more recent years.

Corneal refractive error and astigmatism in patients aged 6 to 18 years with a history of retinopathy of prematurity and birth weight of <1500 g.

PURPOSE: To investigate corneal refractive power (CR) and astigmatism (AS) in 6- to 18-year-old children with a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and birth weight of <1500 g who either did or did not undergo retinal photocoagulation (PC). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: We examined 143 eyes of 77 children in 2021. The children were divided into three groups for evaluation of CR and AS: those with a birth weight of ≥2500 g (normal birth weight [NBW] group, 13 eyes) as controls, those with spontaneously resolved ROP (sr-ROP group, 27 eyes), and those who underwent PC for treatment of ROP (PC-ROP group, 103 eyes). Swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography was used to analyze the cornea. RESULTS: The median CR in the NBW, sr-ROP, and PC-ROP groups was 42.2 (41.3, 42.8) diopters (D), 44.5 (43.2, 45.5) D, and 45.2 (43.8, 46.6) D, respectively. The median AS in the NBW, sr-ROP, and PC-ROP groups was 1.2 (1.0, 1.5) D, 1.1 (0.8, 1.6) D, and 2.1 (1.4, 2.7) D. In the PC-ROP group, the with-the-rule astigmatic axis was 97%. In all three groups, a strong positive correlation was found between the mean anterior and posterior CR (NBW: r=0.795, sr-ROP: r=0.842, PC-ROP: r=0.890) and AS (NBW: r=0.883, sr-ROP: r=0.841, PC-ROP: r=0.860). CONCLUSION: CR was significantly higher in the sr-ROP (p=0.013) and PC-ROP (p<0.001) groups than in the NBW group. The PC-ROP group had significantly more AS than the sr-ROP group. There was a strong correlation between the anterior and posterior CR and AS.

Laser fetoscopy ablation for twin-twin transfusion syndrome may reduce the risk of ROP.

PURPOSE: Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a condition wherein monochorionic twins share a common placenta with placental anastomoses between the two foetal circulations. Most infants who survive TTTS are born prematurely. This study aimed to determine whether fetoscopic laser ablation (FLA) can reduce the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and whether TTTS was a risk factor for ROP. METHODS: This single-centre, retrospective, comparative study included 32 monochorionic twins with TTTS matched for gestational age, birthweight and sex to premature twins and singletons without TTTS (n = 68; twins, n = 34; and singletons, n = 34) born between 2003 and 2022. A single ophthalmologist recorded the fundus findings. FLA was performed using Solomon's technique to separate the vascular systems of the twins with TTTS. RESULTS: The gestational age and weight of premature infants with TTTS treated with FLA were significantly higher than those of untreated infants (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively); however, the hyaline membrane grade was lower (p = 0.004). A significant increase in weight (g/day) (p = 0.002) and lesser avascular area in the peripheral temporal retina (p = 0.045) was observed at postnatal week 4. The risk of ROP in the FLA group was 2.6 times (13.3% vs. 35.3%) lower than that in the non-FLA group; however, this difference was not significant. The incidence of any stage of ROP (25% vs. 18%) and treatment for ROP type 1 (6.25% vs. 5.9%) did not differ significantly between monochorionic twins with TTTS and premature infants without TTTS. CONCLUSION: The gestational age of premature infants with TTTS treated with FLA was higher than that of untreated infants. Moreover, a reduction in complications of prematurity was also observed. Laser fetoscopy in twin-twin transfusion syndrome may reduce the risk of ROP, but the difference was not statistically significant in this small study.

[Primary vitrectomy in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity with unfavorable progression]. / Pervichnaya vitrektomiya v lechenii retinopatii nedonoshennykh neblagopriyatnogo tipa techeniya.

PURPOSE: The study aims to determine the indications and evaluate the results of primary vitrectomy in unfavorable progression of stage III active retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The control group consisted of 17 patients (28 eyes) with unfavorable progression of stage III ROP, who had the disease progress after coagulation of the avascular retina and underwent the second stage of treatment - vitrectomy. The main group consisted of 5 patients (10 eyes) with unfavorable progression of stage III ROP, who underwent primary vitrectomy. Gestational age at birth was 24-30 weeks, body weight ranged from 680 to 1250 g. According to spectral optical coherence tomography (SOCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A), the initial state of the retina and vitreoretinal interface in patients of the main and control groups were identical. RESULTS: A retrospective analysis of control patients, according to SOCT and OCT-A data, showed the spread of neovascularization beyond the retinal plane, its interaction with the posterior hyaloid membrane and vitreous body structures in the early stages of the disease, traction changes in the underlying retina, areas of retinoschisis, as well as thickening of the posterior hyaloid membrane. The tactics of treating patients with unfavorable progression of stage III ROP has changed since 2020. Primary vitrectomy was performed in case the signs listed above were identified. The transition of the disease to the inactive stage was recorded in all cases one month after primary vitrectomy. After one year the pathological process did not reactivate in any of the cases, and no pathological changes were found in the projection of the former proliferation ridge. CONCLUSIONS: Extraretinal retinovitreal neovascularization, according to multimodal preoperative diagnostics, indicates the need for vitreoretinal surgery as a pathogenetically substantiated method of treatment for unfavorable progression of stage III active ROP.

Exudative retinal detachment after laser in retinopathy of prematurity.

Treatment of retinopathy of prematurity with laser photocoagulation can be very effective in preventing future blindness, but its complications should be well understood by the ophthalmologists performing the treatment. We present the case of a 4-month-old girl in whom laser photocoagulation led to an exudative retinal detachment in both eyes. The fluid eventually resolved after treatment with topical and systemic steroids, but the effects of persistent fluid led to permanent photoreceptor loss. Optical coherence tomography can be useful in diagnosing the complication of exudative retinal detachment after laser photocoagulation and monitoring treatment response.

Role of additional posterior barrage laser in type 1 zone 2 retinopathy of prematurity: A randomized trial.

Purpose: The efficacy of additional barrage laser posterior to ridge in advanced stage 3 or stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is established, but its role in early stages is not defined. The objective was to study the efficacy of additional posterior barrage laser in type I zone 2 disease. Methods: In a randomized trial, patients with type I zone 2 ROP were recruited between February 2016 and May 2017. One eye of each baby was randomized into study and control groups, respectively. Laser photocoagulation anterior to ridge was given in the control group, and additional posterior barrage laser was performed in the study group. The outcome measures were time to complete ridge regression and final cycloplegic refraction at 3 months post-laser. Results: Forty patients (40 eyes per group) completed the required follow-up. The mean birth weight and gestational age were 1357 ± 338 g and 29.72 ± 2.57 weeks, respectively. The mean post-conceptional age during laser was 36.67 ± 3.23 weeks. The number of eyes achieving ridge regression in control and study groups was 8/40 (20%) and 27/40 (67%) at 2 weeks (P = 0.001) and 39/40 (97%) and 40/40 (100%) at 4 weeks (P = 0.4). The mean time to complete ridge regression was 3.74 ± 1.17 weeks and 2.62 ± 0.91 weeks in control and study groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean spherical equivalent at 12 weeks in control and study groups was -1.9 ± 2.3 Diopters and -2.4 ± 2.6 Diopters, respectively (P = 0.41). Conclusions: Additional posterior barrage laser leads to significantly faster regression of type 1 zone 2 ROP without increasing induced myopia and thereby might be a useful adjunct to conventional treatment in selected cases. Trial registration number: CTRI/2018/05/013779.

Surgical outcomes in aggressive retinopathy of prematurity (AROP)-related retinal detachments.

Introduction: Aggressive retinopathy of prematurity (AROP) is a severe and progressive variant of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) rapidly forming fibrous tissue extending from the disc toward the posterior lens surface progressing to Stage 5 disease without traversing the classical course that includes Stages 1 to 3. Since AROP behaves differently from type 1 ROP, this study was undertaken to evaluate the surgical outcome of AROP-related detachments. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from electronic medical records of babies diagnosed with AROP-related detachments who underwent micro-incision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) was included. The demographic data, details of primary intervention (laser and/or intravitreal bevacizumab), and surgery were noted. In a subset of patients, surgical intervention was planned early at the onset of fibrovascular tissue. Results: 43 eyes of 26 babies with median birth weight 1175 g and median gestational age of 29 weeks were analyzed. 42/43 eyes underwent primary intervention in form of laser and/or anti-VEGF injection before surgery. 41.8%, 25.5%, and 32.5% eyes progressed to stages 4A, 4B, and 5, respectively, requiring surgical intervention. 66% eyes underwent lensectomy and vitrectomy (LV), and 44% eyes underwent lens sparring vitrectomy (LSV). 58% eyes had attached macula. 44% eyes that had a relatively less vascular diseases had better anatomical outcome (P = 0.019). At final follow-up, 53.4% eyes followed or at least had light fixation, and 77.7% eyes undergoing LSV fixated and/or followed light compared to 33% for LV (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Challenges in AROP include rapid progression to advanced stages of ROP requiring close monitoring and multiple interventions. Surgeries for AROP have a favorable anatomical and functional outcome in 58% and 53%, respectively. Eyes undergoing lens sparing vitrectomy had better visual outcomes.

Posterior to the ridge laser in zone 2 stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity with plus disease: Efficacy and safety.

Purpose: This study aimed to ascertain the efficacy and safety of an additional posterior to the ridge laser for treatable zone 2 stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of infants undergoing laser treatment for ROP at a single center from March 2014 to March 2022. The chart review specifically searched for infants treated for zone 2 stage 3 ROP with plus disease, where additional posterior to the ridge laser was performed. Results: Seventy-eight eyes of 45 infants met the inclusion criterion. The mean birth weight and gestational age were 1166.09 ± 329.66 gm and 29 ± 2 weeks, respectively. Group 1 comprised 52 eyes treated for high-risk prethreshold stage 3 ROP, while group 2 comprised 26 eyes treated for threshold ROP. 532-nm frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser (Nidek, Japan) was used in all eyes. Apart from the standard laser to the avascular retina, an additional three rows of laser were applied posterior to the ridge in all eyes during the primary laser sitting (except in two eyes where it was performed as a rescue treatment 2 weeks after the first sitting). No complications were observed during or immediately after the laser procedure. A favorable outcome was achieved in 98.07% of eyes with prethreshold ROP and 76.92% of eyes with threshold ROP. Overall, a favorable outcome was achieved in 71 (91.02%) of the 78 eyes. Conclusion: Posterior to the ridge laser performed in the primary sitting along with the standard laser for treatable stage 3 ROP in zone 2 is safe and effective. Further prospective studies are needed to study this underutilized approach.

Surgical exposure for vitrectomy in retinopathy of prematurity.

Our purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of lateral canthotomy, sub-tenon anesthesia injection, and the use of modified speculum for gaining adequate surgical exposure during surgery for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Fourteen eyes of 10 consecutive patients undergoing microincisional vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) for stage 4 and stage 5 ROP were included. There was a significant widening of the palpebral fissure height and length using this technique. No patient developed a lens injury during the surgery. All the canthotomy incisions completely healed at a four-week follow-up visit. This is a safe and effective technique for increasing surgical exposure in cases of ROP requiring vitrectomy.