Ocular complications following treatment in the Postnatal Growth and Retinopathy of Prematurity (G-ROP) Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of treatment-related ocular complications and disease progression following treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of eyes treated for ROP at 29 North American neonatal intensive care units in the Postnatal Growth and ROP (G-ROP) Study. Data from the time of treatment through 15 months were abstracted from medical records by certified data collectors. Treatment-related complication (cataract, hyphema, glaucoma, corneal abrasion/opacity), and disease-progression (retinal fold, dragging, or stage 4 or 5 detachment) were calculated by treatment modality. Vitreous hemorrhage was classified separately, because it can relate to treatment or disease progression.

RESULTS: Of 7,483 infants included in the study, 1,004 eyes (512 infants) underwent ROP treatment: 970 eyes received laser as initial therapy; 34 eyes received intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB). Median follow-up after treatment was 18 weeks. Overall, one or more complications occurred in 2.6% (95% CI, 1.8%-3.8%) laser treated eyes and no (0%; 95% CI, 0.0%-10.1%) IVB eyes. Disease-progression occurred in 9.2% (95% CI, 7.6%-11.2%) laser treated eyes, no (0%; 95% CI, 0.0-12.9%) IVB-only eyes. Vitreous hemorrhage occurred in 5.4% (95% CI: 4.1% - 7.0%) laser treated eyes, no IVB-only eyes.

CONCLUSIONS: Rates of complications are very low following ROP treatment with either laser or IVB. Of laser-treated eyes, 9% experienced disease progression despite treatment.