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.