The Effect of Laser Photocoagulation on Intraocular Pressure in Premature Infants With Retinopathy of Prematurity

PURPOSE:To evaluate the effects of diode laser treatment on intraocular pressure (IOP) of premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). PATIENTS AND METHODS:The premature infants who underwent retinal laser photocoagulation therapy for ROP, and gestational age–matched, birth weight–matched, and sex-matched premature infants with ROP which recovered spontaneously without any treatment were enrolled into the study. Anterior segment examination and longitudinal IOP and central corneal thickness measurements were performed 5 times as follows1 day before the laser treatment (T0), and 24 hours (T1), 1 week (T2), 1 month (T3), and 3 months (T4) after the laser treatment. Premature infants who experienced any complication related to the laser treatment were excluded from the study. RESULTS:Laser treated 67 premature infants and 70 premature infants in control group met inclusion criteria. Significant linear decreases in IOP and central corneal thickness values were measured throughout the study period for both groups (both, P