Early ROP treatment does not appear to affect development of astigmatism

Ophthalmology. 2009;116(2):332-339.

Astigmatism of 1 D or more developed by 3 years of age in more than 40% of eyes treated for high-risk pre-threshold retinopathy of prematurity, prompting researchers to stress the need for follow-up in these infants.

In a trial, 401 preterm infants weighing 1,251 g or less with one or both eyes determined to have high-risk pre-threshold ROP were randomized to receive early treatment with laser photocoagulation or conventional management beginning only after threshold ROP developed.

Measurements were obtained at 6 months, 9 months, 2 years and 3 years.

In both groups, the prevalence of astigmatism at each test age was similar. There was an increase in prevalence in both groups from approximately 32% at 6 months to approximately 42% by 3 years, with the greatest change occurring between 6 and 9 months in the conventional management group.

Approximately 43% of eyes developed astigmatism of 1 D or more by 3 years; almost 20% of eyes developed astigmatism of 2 D or more.

Zone of acute-phase ROP, presence of plus disease and retinal residua of ROP did not appear to influence astigmatism.