Photocoagulation (laser therapy)

Photocoagulation is the first line of defense against ROP. The setup is much like a retinal exam,
except your child will be given local or general anesthesia. The ophthalmologist uses a diode
laser mounted on the indirect ophthalmoscope to make tiny “burns” in the periphery of the retina,
to prevent further growth of abnormal blood vessels.
Cryopexy (cryotherapy)
Formerly the procedure of choice for treating ROP, cryopexy uses a penlike instrument called a
cryoprobe to freeze parts of the retina's periphery through the outer wall of the eye.
Scleral buckling involves placing a silicone band around the eye and tightening it until the
retina is close enough to the wall to reattach itself. The band, called a scleral buckle, can be left
in place to protect the eye for months, or sometimes years.
Vitrectomy involves removing the vitreous (the gel-like substance that fills the back of the eye)
and replacing it with saline solution or oil. The scar tissue on the retina can then be peeled back
or cut away, allowing the retina to flatten back down against the wall of the eye.
Medications. Research on anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs to treat
ROP is ongoing. Anti-VEGF drugs work by blocking the overgrowth of blood vessels in the
retina. The medication is injected into the eye while the infant is under a brief general anesthesia.