Treatment outcomes of combination of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection and laser photocoagulation in Type 1 ROP and APROP

Purpose To study treatment outcomes of combination treatment of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection and laser photocoagulation in Type 1 Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and Aggressive Posterior ROP (APROP). Methods This is a retrospective observational study of 87 eyes of 48 premature babies who presented with Type I ROP or APROP and were treated with combination of laser and anti-VEGF therapy. Retrospective evaluation of case records was done to collect data on gestational age, birth weight, age at intervention, anterior segment and fundus findings, intervention with laser and anti-VEGF and response to treatment. Outcome measure was defined as attached retina at posterior pole at last follow-up. Results Mean gestational age was 29.1 weeks, and mean birth weight was 1226.9 gms. Sixty-six (75.8%) eyes had Type I ROP and 21 (24.1%) eyes had APROP at presentation. Five eyes (3 patients) were lost to follow-up after treatment. Of 82 eyes, 80.5% (66 eyes) showed regression of ROP following combination treatment and 19.5% (16 eyes) needed surgery. Of these, 15 underwent surgery and 12 had successful outcome. Mean follow-up duration of patients was 52 weeks. Finally, 95.1% (78 eyes) had attached retina at posterior pole and 4.9% (4 eyes) had detached retina. Conclusion We conclude that combination therapy is an effective and safe treatment strategy for Type I ROP and APROP.

Automated summary

This retrospective study of 87 eyes of 48 premature babies showed that combination treatment of intravitreal anti-VEGF injection and laser photocoagulation was effective in treating Type 1 ROP and APROP, with majority of eyes showing regression of ROP and successful attachment of retina at last follow-up. Surgical intervention was required in a small percentage of cases, indicating that combination therapy is a safe and efficient treatment strategy for these conditions.