Ultra-widefield optical coherence tomography characterization of Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity regression after treatment

PURPOSE: To characterize early morphologic changes of the ridge and isolated retinal neovascularization (IRNV) after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) treatment for ROP using investigational ultra-widefield OCT (UWF-OCT). METHODS: UWF-OCT were acquired weekly from the date of treatment through at least four weeks post treatment. RESULTS: A total of 44 eyes from 23 infants were imaged. By one-week post-treatment, UWF-OCT demonstrated marked regression of neovascular tufts and flattening of the fibrovascular ridge. The ridge progressed anteriorly, but neovascularization did not change location throughout its course of regression. Through week four, residual ridge tissue exhibited segmental thinning and remodeling. CONCLUSION: IVB for ROP induces rapid regression of IRNV and ridge thickness in the initial weeks post-treatment with subsequent remodeling over the first month. UWF-OCT enables detailed characterization of these dynamic morphologic changes, providing potential biomarkers for monitoring treatment responses and identifying eyes at risk of reactivation.