FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY EVALUATION OF CHILDREN PREVIOUSLY TREATED WITH ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR MONOTHERAPY FOR RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY

Abnormalities that cannot be detected by indirect ophthalmoscopy can be identified by referring patients to appropriate centers where fluorescence angiography scanning can be performed, especially from the age 1 year, when follow-up with indirect ophthalmoscopy becomes difficult. This may be useful in follow-up and subsequent retinopathy of prematurity management and may help prevent potential complications. Purpose:To determine the level of vascularization and peripheral vascular findings by fluorescence angiography in patients with aggressive retinopathy of prematurity or Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity treated with a single dose of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor.Methods:Data of patients referred to the authors' clinic for fluorescence angiography examination between June 2016 and September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who had their first fluorescence angiography examination at the age of 1 year or older were included in the study.Results:A total of 486 eyes of 250 patients were included. Of these, 83 eyes (17.1%) had vascular termination in Zone II and 403 eyes (82.9%) in Zone III. In 62.7% of eyes, the distance from the vascular terminals to the temporal ora serrata was less than two disk diameters, and in 20.2%, it was more than two disk diameters. Abnormal vascular findings were noted, including circumferential vessels (41.2%), finger-like projection anomaly (36.2%), hyperfluorescence (16.9%), fine branching and blunt termination (15%), and arteriovenous shunt (9.9%).Conclusion:Fluorescence angiography performed late in the course of treatment can clearly define the vascular termini and detect abnormalities that cannot be detected by indirect ophthalmoscopy. Follow-up with fluorescence angiography can help prevent complications that can lead to vision loss.