One-year visual outcomes after laser for Type 1 prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity among very low birth weight neonates at a tertiary center in western India – A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the visual outcomes after laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among very-low-birth-weight neonates at 1-year corrected age in population of western India.Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 35 neonates received laser treatment for type 1 prethreshold ROP. Structural and refractive status were assessed at 1-year corrected age in these neonates.Results: Total 32 neonates (64 eyes) were followed-up at the age of 1 year. The mean gestational age and birth weight were 27.6 weeks and 900 g, respectively. All 64 eyes reported favorable structural outcome. The mean refractive error was −1.82 D (range: −11 to +4 D). Prevalence of myopia was 62.5% [43.8% low myopia; 18.8% high myopia]. Eight eyes (12.5%) had insignificant hyperopia.Conclusion: We concluded that timely and adequate screening of eyes of preterm neonates followed by early and appropriate laser treatment improves the later visual outcomes. High refractive error is common and may be the cause of visual impairment.