[Refraction and visual acuity after laser coagulation treatment for retinopathy of prematurity in stage 3+].

PURPOSE: Correlations between myopia < or =-4.0 D, birth weight, gestation age at birth, extension of laser photocoagulation and mild posterior pole changes were assessed in eyes of 1-year-old children who underwent laser treatment for stage 3+ retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). In addition the relationship between best-corrected visual acuity (VA) and mild posterior pole alterations was evaluated at 3 years of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent argon or diode laser photocoagulation between 1996 and 2000 for ROP 3+ disease were analyzed in this retrospective study. Cycloplegic refraction was determined in 72 eyes of 1-year old patients ( n=39). At 3 years of age cycloplegic refraction was measured in 36 eyes of 19 patients, and visual acuity was determined in 25 eyes of 13 children.
RESULTS: Myopia of < or =-4.0 D significantly correlated only with mild posterior pole changes (i.e. clinically significant dragging of the temporal vessels of the retina or macular heterotopia, p=0.001). The correlation was significant between a VA reduction to <0.8 and mild posterior pole alterations ( p=0.014).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of myopia < or =-4,0 D and visual acuity <0.8 appears to be increased even with mild posterior pole changes. Birth weight does not seem to be significant factor in the prevalence of myopia < or =-4.0 D following laser coagulation of stage 3 threshold ROP.