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Laser Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity

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A Quick Guide to Pediatric Retina

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Abstract

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has been established as the primary cause of visual impairment in premature infants. While cryotherapy used to be a method to treat this condition, laser photocoagulation with indirect ophthalmoscopic delivery has become the gold standard for threshold ROP treatment. This chapter discusses various defining criteria for stages of ROP, conclusions from significant studies such as the ETROP trial, as well as techniques for performing laser photocoagulation and achieving minimal complications. Addressing skip areas using wide-angle photography is a crucial step in ensuring angiogenesis. The next steps, including the role of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) agents in ROP as evident in the BEAT-ROP and RAINBOW trial is promising but requires further results.

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Conflicts of Interest

SMS: None.

DMM: 1–800 Contacts (Board of Directors, equity), Alcon (Data Monitoring Committee), Apellis (grant support), Bayer (Grant support), dSentz (Founder, Board of Directors, equity), Iconic Therapeutics (Steering Committee), Grand Legend Technology (equity), Irenix (scientific advisory board), Novartis (CME consultant), Pr3vent (Founder, Board of Directors, equity), Promisight (Founder, Board of Directors, equity), Pykus (Scientific advisory board, equity), Regeneron (CME consultant), Versl (Founder, equity), Vindico (CME consultant), Visunex Medical Systems Co. Ltd. (Founder, equity, consultant).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Saumya M. Shah

  2. Byers Eye Institute, Horngren Family Vitreoretinal Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Darius M. Moshfeghi

Authors
  1. Saumya M. Shah
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  2. Darius M. Moshfeghi
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Correspondence to Darius M. Moshfeghi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Wei-Chi Wu

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Wai-Ching Lam

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Shah, S.M., Moshfeghi, D.M. (2021). Laser Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity. In: Wu, WC., Lam, WC. (eds) A Quick Guide to Pediatric Retina. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6552-6_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-6552-6_11

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