Short-Term Efficacy of Two-Step Treatment of Retinopathy of Prematurity in a Japanese Cohort: Anti-VEGF Therapy Followed by Routine Laser Photocoagulation

<b>Objective</b>: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of laser photocoagulation (LPC) combined with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in comparison with routine LPC monotherapy, in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). <b>Methods</b>: This retrospective study included data from 142 eyes treated according to the standard criteria of the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ETROP). Group A patients had received LPC alone, and Group B had received anti-VEGF therapy followed by routine LPC. Group B was further categorized into two subgroups: Groups B1 and B2 had received bevacizumab and ranibizumab, respectively. Data collected included ROP stage, gestational week, postmenstrual week, birth weight, number of laser spots and sessions. <b>Results:</b> Group B required significantly fewer laser spots than was the case with Group A (Group A: 583.0 ± 350.72, Group B: 274.9 ± 124.77, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). The number of LPC sessions differed significantly between the groups (Group A: 1.8 ± 1.28, Group B: 1.2 ± 0.45, <i>p</i> = 0.0003). <b>Conclusions:</b> Combining anti-VEGF therapy with routine LPC reduced the number of laser spots required. This approach offers an effective treatment strategy for managing severe ROP, potentially reducing long-term complications associated with extensive laser use.