Diode Laser Photocoagulation in the Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Purpose: To make a data analysis of cases with retinopathy of prematurity that underwent diode laser photocoagulation (DLPC) treatment. Material and Method: Files of 52 ROP cases treated with DLPC between November 2011 and November 2012 were investigated retrospectively, and 94 eyes of these patients were included in the study. Patients included in the study were referred to Zeynep Kamil Women and Childrens' Diseases Education and Research Hospital from other centers or were followedup in the neonatal intensive care unit at the same hospital. Results: 29 (55.8%) patients were male and 23 (44.2%) patients were female in the study. Mean gestational age of all cases was 28.50 +/- 2.23 weeks (24-33) and mean birth weight was 1189.81 +/- 342.81 gram (705-1910). Mean number of laser spots applied per eye was 692.26 +/- 386.46 (160-2190). Of the 94 eyes, 22 (25.5%) eyes were Zone 1 ROP and 69 (71.3%) eyes were Zone 2 ROP. Mean number of laser spots was 1009.55 +/- 523.35 in Zone 1 ROP cases and 608.78 +/- 268.19 in Zone 2 ROP cases. Discussion: There is a statistically significant difference between Zone 1 and Zone 2 ROP cases in terms of mean number of laser spots; the mean number of laser spots in Zone 1 cases was higher. DLPC in the treatment of ROP cases is an effective and reliable method, however, the technique used while applying the treatment is thought to have an effect on the mean number of spots.