Rapid onset anterior segment complication following diode laser photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity: a case report

Laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) has been proven to be beneficial. We present a case of uncommon, progressive anterior eye segment complication treated with diode laser photocoagulation for ROP which subsequently required surgical management. A 1210 g premature infant, born at 28 weeks of gestation, had bilateral stage 3 threshold ROP on his first screening, at 5 weeks of age. Confluent, laser ablation of avascular retina (Iris Medical, OcuLight S) in order to prevent the progression of ROP was applied. On the next ophthalmological examination, only in the right eye, an uncommon complication, not responding to conservative treatment, was noted. It was described as excessive conjunctiva hypertrophy, misdirected toward the center of the cornea. Indispensable surgical excision of hypertrophied conjunctiva was required, yielding a beneficial outcome. Histology revealed the presence of fibrous tissue. Hypertrophy of conjunctiva after diode laser photocoagulation requires surgical removal in order to prevent vision impairment.