Long-term results of cryotherapy for active stages of retinopathy of prematurity.

Between 1976 and 1980, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage III (moderate) (fibrovascular proliferation) developed in 29 eyes (confluent fibrovascular proliferation of 3 clock hours in extension) of 17 preterm babies. The eyes were treated by cryopexy to the avascular retina. Analysis of the visual function and anatomic results in these eyes, five to eight years postoperatively, revealed very good visual function and only a few anatomic abnormalities. Comparison of these eyes with those of two groups of age- and birth-weight-matched preterms (one with less severe ROP, not treated by cryopexy, and the other with no ROP) showed that the degree of myopia was significantly higher in the cryotreated group. Although not statistically significant, there was a higher incidence and a greater degree of astigmatism in this study group.