Determination of steroid hormone receptors in different tissues and neoplasms

PURPOSE: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a known cause of metastatic endophthalmitis. However, the organism has never been described to cause severe infectious keratoconjunctivitis. We report a fulminant case of nosocomial K. pneumoniae conjunctivitis complicated by infectious keratitis and corneal perforation in both eyes. METHODS: An 83-year-old previously healthy Chinese woman, blind in the right eye from rubeotic glaucoma and with bilateral dense cataracts, was admitted for observation after a head injury. While in hospital, she developed purulent bilateral conjunctivitis. Repeated cultures grew K. pneumoniae. This rapidly progressed to severe infectious keratitis and corneal perforation in both eyes, despite intensive antibiotics to which the organism was susceptible. The patient was otherwise well, and investigations did not reveal any source of endogenous sepsis. RESULTS: The patient lost complete vision in both eyes. The left eye turned phthisical, and the right eye was eviscerated for uncontrolled endophthalmitis. CONCLUSION: Although not previously reported, K. pneumoniae can cause devastating keratoconjunctivitis resulting in corneal melt, perforation, and uncontrolled endophthalmitis.     

Activation and detoxification of dinitropyrenes by cytosol and microsomes from Aroclor-pretreated rats in the Ames and umu assays

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of topical mitomycin C in treating conjunctival and corneal epithelial dysplasia and neoplasia. METHODS: Seven eyes of seven patients with conjunctival and corneal epithelial dysplasia and neoplasia were treated with one drop of topical mitomycin C 0.04% four times a day for 7 days in alternate weeks. The patients' charts were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with either multiple recurrences or extensive ocular surface involvement were treated. In all eyes, the diagnosis of epithelial dysplasia or neoplasia was confirmed by histopathology before the onset of therapy. Patients were examined at least every 14 days during treatment and examined at intervals after completion of treatment. RESULTS: With topical mitomycin C, six eyes of seven patients had complete clinical regression of their conjunctival and corneal epithelial dysplasia and neoplasia. One eye of one patient had partial clinical regression of conjunctival and corneal epithelial dysplasia. Follow-up after completion of topical mitomycin C therapy and excision of residual disease ranged from 2 to 16 months (mean, 9 months; SD, 4.3 months) and was without clinical sign of recurrence. Topical mitomycin C therapy was associated with transitory ocular discomfort, conjunctival injection, tearing, photophobia, and punctate epithelial keratopathy. CONCLUSION: In this small series of eyes, topical mitomycin C was effective as a treatment for conjunctival and corneal epithelial dysplasia and neoplasia.     

Genital carcinoma secondary to pagetoid spread from a pagetoid urothelial carcinoma in-situ

PURPOSE: To compare and assess the efficacy of eye ointment and adhesive tape for protection of eyes under general anaesthesia. METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients (300 eyes) undergoing general anaesthesia for > 90 min for non-ophthalmic procedures were divided randomly into three groups (C, T & O). Eyes in group C were left as control, in group T hypoallergen tape was applied and in group O chloromycetin ointment was used. In all eyes basal tear production and visual acuity was assessed and corneal examination was carried out after fluorescein staining both before and after surgery. All the patients were subjected to a conventional general anaesthesia technique. RESULTS: General anaesthesia reduced basal tear production irrespective of the method of eye protection used (P < 0.0001). The overall incidence of corneal epithelial defects was 10%, of which 90% occurred in the control group, 6.6% in the tape and 3.3% in the ointment group. There was no difference between pre and post operative visual acuity (P : NS). Corneal injuries were more common in the dependent eye in the lateral position and the incidence of corneal epithelial defects did not alter with increase in duration of surgery. CONCLUSION: During general anaesthesia eyes need protection either by tape or ointment as incidence of corneal injuries is greater in unprotected eyes.     

Corneal edema: iris-clip lens implantation and simple intracapsular extraction compared

Corneal edema following intracapsular lens extraction and iris-clip lens implantation was compared by assessing corneal thickness and epithelial edema. In a retrospective study the corneal thickness of twenty patients who had intracapsular lens extraction in one eye only was compared with twenty-six patients with iris-clip lens implants in one eye. There was no significant increase in corneal thickness in the operated eye in either group. In a prospective randomized controlled study, a smaller number of patients, had serial measurements of corneal thickness pre- and postoperatively. There was an increase in thickness in the immediate postoperative period for both groups. However, there was no significant difference between eyes which had simple extraction and those which had implants. The implanted eyes however had greater mean increase endothelial trauma in the initial period, compared to eyes with cataract extraction alone.     

Comparison of photorefractive keratectomy with excimer laser in situ keratomileusis in correcting low myopia (from -2.00 to -5.50 diopters). A randomized study

OBJECTIVE: To compare laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in the correction of myopia from -2.00 to -5.50 diopters. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, paired clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two eyes of 26 myopic patients were enrolled in the study. INTERVENTION: Each patient received PRK on one eye (PRK eye) and LASIK on the other (LASIK eye); the procedure assigned to each eye, and the sequence of surgeries for each patient was randomized. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Slit-lamp microscopy, manifest refraction, uncorrected and spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and videokeratography were done before operation, and 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation. Patient satisfaction and preference were assessed by a subjective questionnaire. RESULTS: All LASIK eyes had fast, painless recovery. At 1 year, 24 patients (92.3%) were examined, the mean spherical equivalent refraction was -0.08 +/- 0.38 diopter in the PRK eyes and -0.14 +/- 0.31 diopter in the LASIK eyes, and the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 15 PRK eyes (62.5%) and 19 LASIK eyes (79.2%); no eye lost 2 or more Snellen lines of spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Both procedures were stable throughout the first year. One PRK eye developed dense subepithelial corneal haze. The strongest correlate to spectacle-corrected visual acuity after the two procedures was the coefficient of variation of corneal power over the pupil. Nineteen patients (79.2%) preferred the LASIK procedure because of the fast, painless recovery. CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, PRK and LASIK were found to be similarly effective, predictable, stable, and reasonably safe for the correction of myopia between -2.00 and -5.50 diopters. Laser in situ keratomileusis has the advantage of fast, painless recovery. Patients prefer LASIK.     

The effects of topical steroids on refractive outcome and corneal haze, thickness, and curvature after photorefractive keratectomy with a 6.0-mm ablation diameter

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of topical prednisolone acetate after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using a 6.0-mm ablation diameter on the refractive and visual outcomes, corneal haze, corneal thickness, and corneal curvature in a prospective, double-masked, randomized manner. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-two eyes of 36 patients who had excimer laser PRK for correction of myopia ranging from -3.00 to -6.00 D (-4.11 +/- 0.84 D in eyes treated with steroids and -4.38 +/- 0.79 D in eyes treated with placebo; mean +/- SD) were enrolled. PRK procedures were performed using a 193-nm argon-fluoride excimer laser with 180-ml/cm2 fluence, a 10-Hz repetition rate, and a 6.0-mm ablation diameter. One eye of each patient was treated with the steroid (prednisolone acetate) and the other eye with placebo. Patients were observed for at least 12 months after PRK. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the steroid and the placebo groups with regard to refraction measurements that were taken postoperatively at 3 months (P = .39) and 12 months (P = .51). The corneas showed an increase in thickness after PRK in both groups, but the difference was not statistically significant at 12 months postoperatively (P = .45). The corneal haze score was not statistically different at any stage between groups (P = .30 at 3 months, P = .84 at 12 months). Keratometric data derived from corneal topography did not show any statistically significant difference (P = .85 at 3 months, P = .96 at 12 months). The rate of uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or more was 79.4% (27 eyes) in the steroid group and 70.5% (24 eyes) in the placebo group (P = .40). The rate of loss of 2 or more lines in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 5.85% (2 eyes) in the steroid group and 8.8% (3 eyes) in the placebo group (P = 1.0). CONCLUSION: Topical prednisolone acetate use for 3 months after PRK with a 6.0-mm ablation diameter has no effect on refractive and visual outcome, corneal haze, corneal thickness, and corneal curvature.     

Endoscopic pancreaticobiliary procedures in patients with a Billroth II resection: a 10-year follow-up study

PURPOSE: To report uveitis associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and to suggest guidelines for treatment. METHODS: Six HIV-seropositive patients (10 eyes) with anterior or posterior uveitis or both were evaluated. After ineffective prolonged treatment with systemic and topical corticosteroids, specific systemic antiretroviral therapy with zidovudine was initiated in all patients. Aqueous humor was cultured in three eyes of three patients, and vitreous humor was cultured in one eye of one patient. RESULTS: In all 10 eyes of six patients, there was resolution of inflammation in 10 to 42 days after commencement of treatment with zidovudine (600 to 800 mg/day), despite no or minimal response to corticosteroids. Cultures of aqueous humor from three eyes of three patients and culture of vitreous humor from one eye of one patient were positive for HIV; no other organism was isolated. Systemic evaluation disclosed no other identifiable cause for the uveitis in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Infection with HIV appears to be a cause of uveitis. A trial of zidovudine may be warranted in HIV-seropositive patients with uveitis that is poorly responsive to corticosteroid treatment when no other cause is identified. The efficacy of other retroviral agents was not determined.     

Phototherapeutic keratectomy for granular and lattice corneal dystrophies at 1.5 to 4 years

BACKGROUND: The capability of the 193-nm excimer laser to ablate the cornea and to remove opacities and various other corneal diseases in a procedure called phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) has been demonstrated. In this study we evaluated the long-term results of PTK for treatment of granular and lattice corneal dystrophies. METHODS: Four eyes with granular or lattice corneal dystrophy were treated with a mean follow-up of 47.8 months (range, 36 to 58 months). Focal ablations of the central cornea with an ablation zone of 5.5 to 6.0 mm were performed. Ablation depth was 110 microns in three eyes and 140 microns in one eye. RESULTS: Removal of corneal opacities allowed for improvement in corrected visual acuity in all patients. Mean corneal thickness in the area of pathology decreased from 0.583 mm before surgery to 0.449 mm after surgery. Spherical equivalent of the manifest refraction measurements increased by a mean of +5.09 D. There were no major complications, but all patients developed slight haze. There was a hyperopic shift in three eyes. CONCLUSION: Our long-term results suggest that PTK is a safe and effective alternative to penetrating and lamellar keratoplasty in patients with granular or lattice corneal dystrophies.     

Silicone oil in repair of retinal detachments caused by necrotizing retinitis in HIV infection

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1000- and 5000-centistoke silicone oil as retinal tamponades for the treatment of retinal detachments secondary to necrotizing retinitis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: Community and university-based ophthalmology clinics. PATIENTS: Three hundred fifty patients with HIV infection, who had 407 eyes with retinal detachments secondary to necrotizing retinitis. INTERVENTION: Vitrectomy surgery for retinal detachment with 1000- or 5000-centistoke silicone oil as the retinal tamponade. OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy was measured both by anatomic success (defined as complete retinal attachment or macular attachment) and by visual acuity success (defined as preservation of visual acuity or ambulatory vision). Safety was determined by the rate of complications, including abnormal intraocular pressure and corneal and lens opacification. RESULTS: At the last follow-up examination, the retina was completely attached in 287 (73%) of 393 eyes, the macula was attached in 370 eyes (94%), 268 eyes (68%) had ambulatory vision, and visual acuity was preserved in 219 (56%) of 388 eyes. Corneal opacification, hypotony, and silicone oil emulsification were present in 4%, 2%, and 1% of eyes, respectively. One eye had elevated intraocular pressure. Of the 57 patients who had both eyes treated, 35 died, of whom four (11%) had nonambulatory vision in both eyes. Of the 293 patients who had one eye treated, 122 died, of whom 44 (36%) died with nonambulatory vision in the treated eye. The median time to cataract was 192 days; to nonambulatory vision, 474 days; and to death, 204 days. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone oil repair of retinal detachments in necrotizing retinitis is an efficacious and safe procedure that delays or prevents loss of vision in advanced HIV disease.     

Amniotic membrane transplantation for ocular surface reconstruction in patients with chemical and thermal burns

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to examine the usefulness of preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation in patients with chemical and thermal burns. DESIGN: The study design was a nonrandomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Seven eyes of six patients with severe chemical (n = 5) and thermal (n = 2) burns were studied. INTERVENTION: Eyes were treated with excision of cicatricial tissues followed by a placement of amniotic membrane on the sclera. Transplantation of limbal grafts from an opposite eye (n = 4) or from donor eyes preserved at -80 degrees C (n = 2) was performed simultaneously. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reconstruction of ocular surface epithelia and visual acuity were measured. RESULTS: With the mean observation period of 53.3 weeks, central corneal epithelium was reconstructed successfully in all eyes. Neither amniotic membrane nor limbal grafts were rejected. A persistent epithelial defect developed in one eye, which was treated successfully by tarsorrhaphy. After surgery, the corneal epithelium showed normal arrangements on specular microscopy, and its barrier function recovered to seminormal. Corrected visual acuity markedly improved in each eye. Regenerated conjunctiva on the amniotic membrane was stable and uninflammed with minimum-to-mild scarring. Slight recurrence of conjunctivalization was noted in three eyes. However, because these eyes were stable and central cornea was clear, no further surgery was needed. CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic membrane transplantation promotes normal conjunctival epithelialization while suppressing fibrosis formation. The procedure, especially when performed with limbal autograft transplantation, appears to be effective for the treatment of chemical or thermal burns of the ocular surface.     

Therapeutic use of the 193-nm excimer laser in corneal pathologies

PURPOSE: To analyze the results of phototherapeutic keratectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed 193-nm excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in 252 eyes of 216 patients suffering from pain and/or decrease in visual acuity. One hundred and three eyes had recurrent erosions of the cornea, 86 eyes underwent excimer laser smoothing of the cornea after pterygium surgery, 29 eyes had a bandlike keratopathy (25 rough, 4 smooth) and 34 eyes had other pathologic conditions such as amyloidosis of the cornea, anterior corneal dystrophies, scars after injuries, alkali burns, superficial stromal dystrophies and infections. Recurrent erosions and epithelial dystrophies were treated with 15-20 pulses (160-200 mJ/cm2, 8 mm ablation zone) after mechanical abrasion of the epithelium. Removal of corneal opacities and scars required the use of a masking fluid (methyl-cellulose) in different concentrations and slit-lamp control (integrated in the delivery system of the excimer laser). RESULTS: Some 91% of the eyes with recurrent erosions were recurrence-free. Fifty-two per cent of the eyes with pterygium had recurrences if the baresclera technique was used and 33% of the eyes if a free conjunctival graft was used. The difference was not significant. All of the patients with bandlike keratopathy were pain-free. In 88% of the eyes with special indications the treatment goal was achieved. No positive effect was seen after alkali burn, in a patient with anterior membrane dystrophy (Grayson-Wilbrandt corneal dystrophy) or in a patient with a corneal protuberance. In one patient with scleroperikeratitis a late recurrence of the opacity was observed 3 years after surgery. A loss of best corrected visual acuity was found only in one patient with bullous keratopathy in whom the treatment goal was the reduction of pain. All patients with smooth bandlike keratopathy had an improvement in best corrected visual acuity of at least one line. About 70% of patients with special indications improved by at least one line, up to nine lines. A possible hyperopic shift in all groups could be minimized using a large ablation zone. CONCLUSION: PTK with the 193-nm excimer laser is a safe and effective treatment for many superficial diseases of the cornea.     

Forum on ethics. Genetics: manipulating mother nature

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report the results of silicone oil removal from aphakic eyes using a self-sealing clear corneal incision under topical anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients who had pars plana vitrectomy combined with silicone oil injection underwent silicone oil removal under topical anesthesia using a self-sealing clear corneal incision. Mean time between silicone oil injection and removal was 3.1+/-1.42 months. Fourteen eyes were filled with 1300 cs of silicone oil and 8 eyes were filled with 5700 cs of silicone oil. The removal was performed with passive washout in the eyes filled with 1300 cs of silicone oil and with active aspiration in the eyes filled with 5700 cs of silicone oil. RESULTS: All of the 22 silicone oil removal procedures performed under topical anesthesia had clear corneal incisions that did not require suturing at the end of surgery. Three cases that had 1300 cs of silicone oil required aspiration because of residual silicone oil bubbles. CONCLUSION: Silicone oil can be removed from the aphakic eye using a self-sealing corneal tunnel incision under topical anesthesia.     

Ocular involvement in tuberculoid leprosy--a case report

Leprosy is rarely diagnosed in our part of the world. In our 26-year-old patient, borderline lepromatous leprosy was first diagnosed in 1992 and was treated with Rifoldin, Lemprene and Dapson according to the standard WHO scheme of treatment. Ophthalmic examination showed minor epithelial lesions of the cornea in both eyes, a reduced corneal reflex in the left eye and a scleral leproma nasally and close to the limbus, also in the left eye. In 1995, the patient was examined again and was treated as above for lepromata of the left eyebrow nasally and of both lower legs. Ophthalmic examination revealed conjunctival irritation, anterior uveitis with leprosy pearls on the pupillary margin and secondary glaucoma. The glaucoma was treated with hypotonics, the uveitis was treated with topical cortisone. The intra-ocular pressure normalised and the uveitis improved. Of the two main types of leprosy, lepromatous leprosy and tuberculoid leprosy, our patient had the second, milder form.     

New results using Laue diffraction and time-resolved crystallography

PURPOSE: To determine the antiproliferative effect of minoxidil on human corneal epithelium (hCE) proliferation in vitro and to assess whether topical minoxidil can significantly alter corneal topography after radial keratotomy (RK) by inhibiting myofibroblast activity in the keratotomy wound. SETTING: Corneal Research Laboratory, University of Chicago, Illinois, USA. METHODS: In the in vitro evaluation, proliferating hCE was exposed to minoxidil (0.1 to 2.0 mM) for 96 hours to determine the minimum inhibitory dose. Human corneal epithelium cell proliferation was assessed by the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BRDU) into DNA. In the in vivo analysis, eight New Zealand albino rabbits had an eight-incision bidirectional RK on one eye and were divided into two groups. The control eyes (n = 3) received tobramycin and dexamethasone (TobraDex), ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (Ciloxan), and balanced salt solution (BSS) drops four times a day for 3 weeks, while the treatment eyes (n = 5) received TobraDex, Ciloxan, and minoxidil 1.0 mM drops four times daily for 3 weeks. The net change in corneal curvature at 3 weeks was analyzed with corneal topography. Myofibroblast activity in the keratotomy wound was assessed using alpha smooth muscle actin staining techniques. RESULTS: At concentrations of 1.0 mM and above, minoxidil caused a statistically significant, dose-dependent reduction in hCE cellular proliferation ranging from 29 to 44% (P < .05). Minoxidil (1.0 mM) caused a statistically significant central corneal flattening effect of 4.66 diopters (D) after RK in the treatment eyes compared with 1.11 D in the control eyes (P = .05). Histologically, minoxidil-treated keratotomy wounds lacked cells with contractile elements consistent with myofibroblast differentiation. Corneal epithelial wound healing was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: At the appropriate dose, topical minoxidil may be a useful adjunctive treatment that can reduce the number of undercorrections after mini-RK without apparent toxicity to the corneal epithelium.     

Photocoagulation of well-defined choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration: clinicopathologic correlation

PURPOSE: To present the clinicopathologic features of the eyes of a patient with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD): the right eye was treated for well-defined extrafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and the left eye had an untreated disciform scar. METHODS: The patient was studied ophthalmoscopically and by fluorescein angiography at the time of presentation and on follow-up examinations up to 54 days after laser treatment, when he died. The posterior portions of both eyes (obtained postmortem), including the macula and optic nerve head, were sectioned serially for light microscopy. Tissue sections from both eyes were removed from glass slides and studied by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Histopathologic study of the right eye disclosed a thin layer of basal laminar deposit throughout the posterior pole. Two defects in Bruch's membrane without CNV were present within the area of laser photocoagulation located superior to the fovea. No CNV was present in the scar. Eleven areas of early CNV were present in the posterior pole. Histopathologic study of the left eye showed a prominent basal laminar deposit throughout the posterior pole. A 2.6 x 2.7 mm disciform scar was present that was located mostly in the subretinal space. Four sources of CNV were present. CONCLUSIONS: The clinicopathologic features of a treated eye with well-defined extrafoveal CNV, and the fellow eye with a disciform scar, both associated with ARMD, are presented. Although laser treatment obliterated a choroidal neovascular membrane, 11 additional areas of early, subclinical CNV were present.     

Ocular manifestations of toxic epidermal necrolysis associated with allopurinol use

A 54-year-old man was receiving allopurinol therapy to treat hyperuricemia that followed an inferior wall, myocardial infarction. After three weeks of allopurinol therapy, the patient developed signs and symptoms of toxic epidermal necrolysis that included pseudomembranous conjunctivitis with ulcerative lesions on the lids and conjunctiva, and punctate corneal staining with subsequent corneal abrasions. Treatment with topical antibiotics and artificial tears relieved the symptoms somewhat, but punctate staining and dry eyes persisted after 14 months of follow-up. Bilateral corneal ulcers developed and necessitated conjunctival flaps in each eye. Visual acuity in each eye was 20/40.     

Spontaneous corneal perforation in pellucid marginal degeneration

PURPOSE: We present a report of a spontaneous corneal perforation in a patient with pellucid marginal corneal degeneration. METHODS: We describe the presentation and management of a 74 year old male with spontaneous corneal perforation related to pellucid marginal corneal degeneration. RESULTS: The corneal perforation was repaired with a 3 mm penetrating patch graft. The cornea has remained stable for 7 years with no further progression of corneal ectasia in either eye. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, spontaneous corneal perforations in patients with pellucid marginal corneal degeneration can occur, and patients should be cautioned about this possibility.     

Application of Raney nickel to measure adducts of styrene oxide with hemoglobin and albumin

BACKGROUND: Although peripheral cryotherapy decreases the incidence of unfavorable anatomic outcomes in threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), apnea, bradycardia, and lid edema can occur. Argon laser indirect ophthalmoscope photocoagulation has been used as an alternative to cryotherapy, with fewer adverse effects. Retinal lesions placed with diode lasers are deeper than similar argon laser lesions, and it is not known whether this difference could influence the response to ablative therapy. METHODS: Patients were enrolled under a prospective, randomized protocol. One eye of each patient with symmetric, threshold ROP was treated with an 814/815 nm diode laser, while the other eye was treated with cryotherapy. Patients with asymmetric diseases also were randomized for treatment in the threshold eye. RESULTS: Nineteen infants (33 eyes) were treated, ranging from 485 to 863 g birth weight (23 to 27 weeks gestational age); 18 patients (32 eyes) were followed for 3 months or longer. Four patients (8 eyes) had bilateral zone 1 disease. Postconceptional age was 36 to 45 weeks at the time of treatment. The diode laser treatment was better tolerated than cryotherapy, and the treatment apparatus was more easily transported. Apneic episodes requiring intubation resulted from two cryotherapy sessions but no diode laser sessions. Five cryotherapy-treated eyes required retreatment because of persistent disease with adjacent skip areas. In the group followed for 3 to 15 months, 1 cryotherapy-treated eye and 1 diode laser-treated eye progressed to stage 5 retinal detachment. CONCLUSION: Compared with cryotherapy, the diode laser was more convenient, technically easier to administer, and better tolerated by the patient. Although the number of patients was too small for meaningful statistical analysis of outcome, diode laser peripheral retinal ablation appeared to be as effective as cryotherapy for the treatment of threshold ROP.