Management of threshold retinopathy of prematurity

The Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity Study demonstrated the benefit of intervention for threshold disease. The authors reviewed their experience with cryotherapy, investigating the questions of treatment for bilateral disease. Between 1985 and 1990, 71 eyes from 41 infants with threshold retinopathy of prematurity were treated. Of the 65 eyes with a minimum of 3 months follow-up, only 7 eyes (11%) progressed to stage 4, although an additional 8 eyes (13%) developed a posterior retinal fold. Although the overall results are comparable to those repeated by the Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity Study, the authors recommend treating both eyes if they reach threshold, and treating the two eyes at the same sitting.