Retinopathy of prematurity is a disease of the eye that affects prematurely born babies. It is thought to be caused by disorganized growth of retinal blood vessels which may result in scarring and retinal detachment. ROP can be mild and may resolve spontaneously, but may lead to blindness in serious cases. Worse, the disease can not always be cured by the conventional treatment.
Scientists, at the 2008 Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) and European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) are likely to discuss the problem.
Building on earlier studies that showed good results, Alay S. Banker, MD, and his colleagues, Banker's Retina Clinic and Laser Centre, Gujarat, India, evaluated anti-VEGF therapy in 21 babies (34 eyes) who had or were at high risk for ROP. Fourteen eyes received laser and then anti-VEGF injections; 12 eyes received anti-VEGF injection only; and six eyes received anti-VEGF, then laser treatment.
All babies were examined one day after treatment, weekly for a month, and monthly thereafter. In all babies' eyes - including those that received anti-VEGF treatment only - the abnormal blood vessels resolved without further treatment, and no adverse results were seen in any eyes or in the babies' general health status in follow-up exams at about 37 weeks after treatment (mean age: 37.5 weeks).
Source: Science Centric
Filed under Eye Diseases | Tags: American Academy of Ophthalmology, anti-VEGF injection, European Society of Ophthalmology, eye, laser, laser treatment, Retinopathy of prematurity | Comment Below
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