Refractive outcome of prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity treated by diode laser: follow-up at 5 years

Abstract

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the refraction of eyes treated with diode laser photocoagulation for prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at a mean of 5 years after treatment.

Materials and methods

Fifty infants with prethreshold ROP treated with diode laser at Hanoi Childrens’ Hospital during the period 2008 to 2009 were reviewed. Refractive error was identified by cycloplegic refraction with Cyclogyl 1%. Myopia was divided into two categories based on magnitude: high myopia (more than −5.00 D) and low myopia (between 0 and −5.00 D). Hypermetropia was subdivided into low hypermetropia (between 0 and +5.00 D) and high hypermetropia (greater than +5.00 D). Astigmatism was classified as high if >2.00 D. Eyes with media opacification that interferes with retinoscopy were excluded. The refractive outcome was correlated with birth weight and gestational age. The anatomical and visual outcomes were recorded.

Results

One hundred eyes from 50 infants were included in the study. The mean birth weight was 1,426.4 g and the mean gestational age was 29.88 weeks. After 5 years of follow-up, the average spherical equivalent for 100 eyes was −2.87 D. On cycloplegic retinoscopy, high myopia (more than −5.00 D) was seen in 32% of eyes. Twenty (20%) eyes had nonsignificant hypermetropia, and high hypermetropia (more +5.00 D) was seen in only one eye (1%). The prevalence of astigmatism and high astigmatism (more than −2.00 D) was 79% and 49%, respectively. Three infants (6%) had esotropia and two infants (4%) had exotropia. None of the infants had nystagmus.

Conclusion

The majority of patients who underwent diode laser therapy for prethreshold ROP had favourable anatomical and visual outcomes. High refractive error is common and may be the cause of visual impairment.

Keywords:

• refractive outcome
• myopia
• hypermetropia
• astigmatism

Introduction

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the leading causes of infant blindness and visual impairment worldwide. The Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity study has established the benefit of treatment for threshold ROP in reducing the risk of blindness.^1,2 Another report also showed that cryotherapy in threshold ROP contributes to the development of myopia and that laser photocoagulation, in comparison, produces less myopic shift.³ In recent times, laser photocoagulation has largely replaced cryotherapy as the established treatment modality for ROP.^4,5 The guidelines for the treatment of ROP have changed after the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ETROP) study, which used a complex algorithm to identify patients with prethreshold ROP and having a high risk for progression.^6–9

Figure 1 A male infant who was born at 29 weeks’ gestation and of birth weight 1.450 g. OU: ROP stage 2 and 3, zone 1, with plus disease. ROP regressed bilaterally after laser treatment. Refraction at 65 months of age: OD, −7.25 D/−3.50 D, axis 11 degrees; OS, −6.50 D/−2.75, D axis 170 degrees.

Abbreviations: ROP, retinopathy of prematurity; OD, oculus dexter; OU, oculus uterque; OS, oculus sinister.

Figure 2 A female infant who was born at 31 weeks’ gestation and of birth weight 1.600 g. OU: ROP stage 2, zone 1, with plus disease. ROP regressed bilaterally after laser treatment. Refraction at 62 months of age: OD, −3.00 D/−1.75 D, axis 0 degrees; OS, −2.50/−2.00, axis 180 degrees.

Abbreviations: ROP, retinopathy of prematurity; OD, oculus dexter; OU, oculus uterque; OS, oculus sinister.

Figure 3 A male infant who was born at 31 weeks’ gestation and of birth weight 1.200 g. OU: ROP stage 2, zone 2, with disease. Regression of retinopathy of prematurity after laser treatment. Refraction at 61 months of age. OD, −2.50 D/−1.00 D, axis 0 degrees; OS, −4.75 D/−2.25 D, axis 180 degrees.

Abbreviations: ROP, retinopathy of prematurity; OD, oculus dexter; OU, oculus uterque; OS, oculus sinister.

At present, in Vietnam, advances in neonatology allow survival of children with extremely low gestational age and weight at birth, leading to an increase in the number of patients with ROP. Refractive error is a known complication of ROP and its treatment, and is a common cause of vision impairment in children. It is also treatable. Therefore, we initiated this study to evaluate the refraction of eyes treated with diode laser photocoagulation for prethreshold ROP at a mean of 5 years after treatment.

Materials and methods

The study was approved by the Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology and parents provided written informed consent prior to infants’ enrollment into the study. We identified all infants treated for ROP according to the criteria defined by ETROP from the operating theater register at the hospital. All laser procedures in preterm infants were conducted in the hospital operating theater during the study period (2008–2009).

Children who were born prematurely and attended the eye clinic at Hanoi Children’s Hospital following treatment for prethreshold ROP with diode laser were included in the study and followed up for 5 years. The screening guidelines from the Vietnam Ministry of Health include all infants with birth weight of ≤1,800 g and/or gestational age ≤33 weeks. The laser procedure was carried out in the operating theater in the presence of the neonatologist. The entire avascular retina, from the ridge to the ora serrata, was treated in a near confluent manner using a diode laser indirect ophthalmoscope. The laser treatment was performed by trained vitreoretinal specialists with experience in the use of the indirect diode laser. If the follow-up examinations showed persistent “plus” disease with the presence of active extraretinal proliferation, such eyes were retreated to cover any areas of undertreatment. Once the ROP showed regression, the infants were followed up every 6–12 months. During each visit, the infants were examined for the pattern of fixation, presence of strabismus, and cycloplegic refraction with cyclopentolate 1% eye drops. Fundus examination is done by indirect ophthalmoscopy. The best corrected visual acuity in each eye was checked with Cardiff cards at a 50 cm distance in the preverbal age group, and the Snellen equivalent was noted. In those children who were able to communicate verbally, visual acuity was measured with the Snellen visual acuity chart.

All infants underwent confluent laser treatment (spots less than half burn width apart) with a diode laser (Iris Medical Oculight SL, 810 nm infrared laser; Iris Medical Inc, Mountain View, CA, USA). Treatment details were analyzed, including the type of laser used, number of laser spots, number of laser sessions, and time required for regression of disease. Unfavorable outcomes included: a posterior retinal fold involving the macula, a retinal detachment involving the macula, or retrolental tissue or mass obscuring the view of the posterior pole.

The case charts were reviewed to collect data regarding sex, gestational age at birth, birth weight, whether a product of single or multiple pregnancy, number of ventilated days, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage, and sepsis. The eye, zone of ROP, the circumferential extent of extraretinal proliferation, postconception age at treatment, and need for retreatment were noted. Details of further vitreoretinal surgeries, if any, and their results were noted. The anatomical status of the retina, best corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent (SE) refraction (spherical value plus half the cylinder value) in each eye, presence of strabismus, and duration of follow-up in months were recorded.

Myopia was divided into two categories based on magnitude: high myopia (>5 D) and low myopia (0–5 D). Hypermetropia was defined as >0 and subdivided into low hypermetropia (0–5 D) and high hypermetropia (>5 D). Astigmatism and high astigmatism were defined as plus cylinder of ≥1 D and ≥2 D, respectively.

This was a long-term, descriptive study without a control group such as cryotherapy or other photocoagulation therapy, and may indicate the superiority of the diode laser applied in Vietnam.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.0 software for Windows (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA).

Results

Fifty infants met the inclusion criteria for the study. Their mean birth weight was 1,426.40 (range: 800–1,750) g. Thirty-seven infants (74%) had a birth weight >1,250 g. The mean gestational age was 29.88 (range: 27–32) weeks.

One hundred eyes from these 50 infants were treated for prethreshold ROP. Eighty-two (82%) eyes had zone 2 disease and 15 (15%) eyes had zone 1 disease. The mean number of total clock hours of ROP was 8.94±2.73 (range: 5–12). The mean number of laser spots applied was 1,492.97±961.56. Nine eyes required retreatment. The mean time to regression of ROP following treatment was 4.92±2.45 (range: 2–18) weeks (Table 1).

Table 1 Characteristics of the study population

Total number of babies (male, female)	50 (22–28)
Average gestational age (weeks)	29.88 (27–32)
Average weight at birth (g)	1,426.40 (800–1,750)
Refraction at 5 years	Right eye	Left eye
Average SE (range)	−2.75 (−13 to +5)	−3.20 (−12 to +4)
Average astigmatism	−1.70 D	−1.72 D

Abbreviations: SE, spherical equivalent; D, diopters.

Table 2 shows the distribution of refractive errors in the right and left eyes. On cycloplegic retinoscopy, the average SE for 100 eyes was −2.87 D (range: −13 to +5 D). The average SE in the right and left eyes was −2.75 D (range: −13 to +5 D) and −3.20 D (range: −12 to +4 D), respectively. Twenty-seven (27%) eyes had low myopia (<5 D) with a range: −0.25 D to −4.75 D. High myopia (>5.0 D) was seen in 32 (32%) eyes. Twenty (20%) eyes had insignificant hyperopia (range: +0.25 to +4.00 D), and high hyperopia (>5.00 D) was seen in only one (1%) eye. Twenty (20%) eyes had no refractive error.

Table 2 Spherical equivalent in right and left eyes (n=100)

SE	Right eye	Left eye	Total
≥+5.0	None	None	0
+2.5 to +5	5	3	8
0.25 to +2.25	7	6	13
0 to −2.25	14	15	29
−2.5 to −4.75	7	11	18
−5.0 to −10	16	14	30
>−10	1	1	2
Total	50	50	100

Notes: All values are measure in Diopters. SE are presented in a range.

Abbreviation: SE, spherical equivalent.

Considering the right and left eyes separately, the SE of the right eye ranged from −13.00 D to +5.00 D (mean −2.75 D). In the left eye, it ranged from −12.00 D to +4.00 D (mean −3.20 D). Applying the Wilcoxon’s test to these data, no statistically significant (P<0.05) difference was found between the eyes (Table 2).

The prevalence of astigmatism and high astigmatism (>2.00 D) in our study was 79% and 49%, respectively. The average astigmatism was 1.65 D. The lowest level of astigmatism was 0.50 D and the highest level was 6.50 D.

Corresponding to each birth weight group, the most common refractive error was myopia. The proportion of myopia in the 800–1,250 g birth weight group was 61.53%; in the 1,251–1,500 g group it was 62.5% and in the 1,501–1,750 g group it was 55.81%. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), which suggests that the lower the birth weight, the higher the prevalence of myopia and high myopia (Table 3).

Table 3 Correlation of birth weight and refraction

Birth weight (g)	800–1,250		1,251–1,500		1,501–1,750
Refraction	n	%	n	%	n	%
Myopia	16	61.53	20	62.5	24	55.81
Hypermetropia	9	34.61	2	6.25	9	20.93
Emmetropia	1	3.86	10	31.25	10	23.26
Total	26	100	32	100	43	100

The proportion of myopia in the 27–28-week gestation group was higher than the two groups of gestational age, 29–30 weeks and 31–32 weeks. At 5-year follow-up, all eyes had a favorable anatomical outcome. None of the eyes showed structural posterior pole sequelae such as narrowing of arcades, disc drag, or macular drag. Peripheral ocular changes, namely, vitreous membranes and peripheral tractional retinal detachment, were not observed in any eye (Table 4).

Table 4 Correlation of gestational age and refraction

Gestational age (weeks)	27–28		29–30		31–32
Refraction	n	%	n	%	n	%
Myopia	17	77.27	23	53.48	20	58.82
Hypermetropia	2	9.09	12	27.91	6	17.65
Emmetropia	3	13.64	8	18.61	8	23.53
Total	22	100	43	100	34	100

Three infants (6%) had esotropia and two infants (4%) had exotropia. None of the five infants with strabismus had anisometropic amblyopia, as the refractive error was similar for both eyes. None of the infants had nystagmus.

Discussion

In the present study, nearly one-third of the infants had a birth weight greater than 1,251 g. Treatable ROP in infants with >1,250 g birth weight is not uncommon in the developing world. In contrast, most reports from Western centers and developed countries focus on ROP in extremely premature infants of <1,250 g birth weight^10,11 (Table 5). The mean birth weight of infants in the present study was 1,426.40 g, which was much higher than the 703 g in the ETROP cohort.⁸ The mean gestational age of infants in the present study was 29.88 weeks, which was higher than the 25 weeks for the ETROP cohort.⁸ Weight and gestational age in our study were similar to those in a previous study by a Vietnamese pediatric ophthalmologist, but higher than those reported by overseas authors, especially those from developed countries^3,11–15 (Table 5).

Table 5 Comparison of studies

Study	Year	Country	MBW (g)	Mean GA (weeks)
Axer-Siegel et al^Citation11	2008	Israel	833.9	26
Lee et al^Citation12	2004	Australia	770	25.5
Knight-Nanan and O’Keefe^Citation3	1996	Ireland	918	26.77
Al-Otaibi et al^Citation13	2012	Saudi Arabia	896.9±33.5*	26.5±3.1*
Dhawan et al^Citation14	2008	Indian	882.2±265*	26.4±2.3*
Nguyen^Citation15	2007	Vietnam	1,474.4±250.3*	31.82±1.97*
Present study	2014	Vietnam	1,426.40	29.88

Note:

* Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation.

Abbreviations: GA, gestational age; MBW, mean birth weight.

In our study, the most common refractive error was myopia, with 59% of children being affected, while 21% were affected by hyperopia. Thus, the prevalence of refractive error in the study was 80%. It is difficult to compare different studies regarding the refractive outcome. When reviewing the literature on refractive error in children with ROP, we found that the prevalence of myopia differed between studies, with a range from 52.2% to 77%^11,13,16,17 (Table 6).

Table 6 Refractive error prevalence by other authors

Author	Mean follow-up (years)	Eyes (n)	Myopia	Hypermetropia
Axer-Siegel et al^Citation11	3	194	55.2%	*
Katoch et al^Citation16	3.5	76	26.1%	*
Nguyen^Citation15	5	100	71.8%	23.1%
Al-Otaibi et al^Citation13	5.2±2.5^	114	64%	29%
Yang et al^Citation19	9	60	93%	*
Present study	5	100	59%	21%

Notes:

* Not available in the study.

^ Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation.

According to some authors, high myopia is more common in children with ROP than in children without ROP. The study by Quinn et al reported a high myopia rate of 34% at 2 years and a rate of 37.9% among 3-year-old children.⁶ Our study found a high myopia rate of 32%. The prevalence of high hypermetropia in the present study was only 1%. Holmstrom et al also reported a low prevalence of hypermetropia of 4.4% at age 2.5 years.¹⁸

The prevalence of astigmatism and high astigmatism in our study was lower than that reported in the study by Yang et al, which was 98% for astigmatism and 50% for high astigmatism.¹⁹ However, the follow-up duration in that study was longer (9 years). Other studies also suggested that the prevalence of astigmatism was 40% at 3 years and 53.7% at 6 years.^20,21

The mean SE in our study was −2.87 D, which was similar to the value of −2.33 D reported by McLoone et al.²² Differences in the mean SE values reported by different authors can be explained by differences in sample size, severity of ROP, method of treatment, and follow-up duration.

Only five (10%) of the 50 infants in the present study had strabismus. This rate of strabismus was lower than 28.5% recently reported for eyes undergoing laser treatment at threshold.²³ Other authors reported the percentage of strabismus to be 22% in children with ROP.²⁴ The low rate of strabismus in the present study may be attributed to a short follow-up duration, predominant symmetric presentation, and regression without sequelae in both eyes.

There are a number of limitations in this study. The present study was retrospective in nature, which introduced inherent observation and inclusion bias. The study also lacked a control group. Another limitation of the study is its short follow-up duration.

In summary, we have reported the refractive outcome for babies treated for prethreshold ROP in a subset of Vietnamese infants who were heavier and older than those previously reported. Prethreshold ROP in these infants was milder and regressed without any retinal residual of ROP. Despite a normal anatomical outcome, a significant proportion (59%) of eyes developed myopia. This refractive error needs to be followed up and treated where appropriate to optimize the visual potential and outcomes in children.

Author contributions

All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and critically revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Acknowledgments

Phuoc Huu Nguyen is indebted to many people who have helped and encouraged him during the course of this study.

The authors thank Dr Mai Quoc Tung for manuscript reading. They also would like to thank all doctors and nurses at Vietnam National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hanoi Children Hospital for their generous help and encouragement and the library of the University of Sydney for providing the authors with free access to necessary references. Phuoc Huu Nguyen would like to express how he is truly grateful to his parents for their immeasurable love and care and for always encouraging him to explore his potential and pursue his dreams.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.