Nebula laser beams converging on a baby's eye

Retinopathy of Prematurity: Can Pattern Scan Laser Treatment Make a Difference?

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how pattern scan laser photocoagulation offers new hope in treating retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), potentially reducing pain and treatment time for vulnerable infants."

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a serious condition that affects premature babies, potentially leading to vision loss. The ETROP study marked a turning point, highlighting the effectiveness of laser treatment in managing this condition. Now, innovative techniques like pattern scan laser systems are emerging, offering new possibilities for treatment.

Pattern scan laser systems, such as the PASCAL® Streamline, represent a significant advancement in photocoagulation technology. These systems offer shorter pulse durations, which translate to less treatment time, reduced pain, and better preservation of retinal sensitivity compared to conventional laser treatments. This is particularly crucial when dealing with the delicate eyes of premature infants.

While the use of PASCAL systems has been well-documented in treating adult retinal vascular diseases, its application in ROP is still relatively new. This article delves into a groundbreaking case where pattern scan laser treatment was successfully used to manage ROP, paving the way for further exploration and potential adoption of this technique.

The Case: A Glimmer of Hope with Pattern Scan Laser

Nebula laser beams converging on a baby's eye

A male infant, born prematurely at 23 weeks gestation and weighing only 564 grams, presented with ROP. Initial examinations were challenging due to corneal haze and vitreous opacity. By 31 weeks corrected gestational age, ROP was diagnosed in both eyes. The condition progressed, necessitating intervention in the left eye. At 39 weeks, laser photocoagulation was performed using the PASCAL® Streamline system.

The laser photocoagulation was carefully performed under general anesthesia, with the infant receiving fentanyl citrate for pain management. Key parameters included irradiation times between 20–30 ms, laser power of 300–350 mW, a spot size of 200 µm, and a spacing of 100 µm. A wide-field pediatric contact lens was used to ensure precise targeting. In total, 2,999 laser shots were applied.

Irradiation Time: 20–30 ms
Laser Power: 300–350 mW
Spot Size: 200 µm
Spacing: 100 µm
Laser Shots: 2,999

The results were promising. Within two weeks, fibrovascular proliferation began to regress, and scarring from the laser spots became evident. Over the following weeks, the treated area continued to stabilize, demonstrating the effectiveness of the pattern scan laser in managing ROP. However, it’s important to note that despite the successful eye treatment, the infant passed away at a corrected gestational age of 3 months due to complications from pulmonary hypertension and chronic lung disease.

The Future of ROP Treatment: A Promising Outlook

This case demonstrates the potential of pattern scan laser treatment as a viable option for managing ROP. While long-term outcomes weren't possible in this particular case, the initial success suggests that this technique could offer significant benefits, including reduced treatment time and potentially less pain for infants. Further research, including larger randomized clinical studies, is essential to fully evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of this innovative approach. Pattern scan laser treatment holds promise for improving outcomes and quality of life for premature infants at risk of ROP.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2147/opth.s63921, Alternate LINK

Title: A Case Of Retinopathy Of Prematurity Treated By Pattern Scan Laser Photocoagulation

Subject: Ophthalmology

Journal: Clinical Ophthalmology

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Authors: Satoshi Ota, Shuichiro Hirahara, Tomoaki Hattori, Miho Nozaki, Munenori Yoshida, Yuichiro Ogura

Published: 2014-07-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and why is it a concern for premature babies?

Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) is a serious eye condition that primarily affects premature babies. It occurs when the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, don't develop normally. This can lead to vision loss. Because premature infants' eyes are still developing, they are particularly vulnerable to ROP. The ETROP study highlighted the importance of timely intervention to manage this condition and prevent severe visual impairment.

How does pattern scan laser treatment, like the PASCAL® Streamline system, work for ROP compared to traditional methods?

Pattern scan laser treatment, using systems like PASCAL® Streamline, represents an advancement over traditional laser treatments for ROP. The PASCAL® Streamline utilizes shorter pulse durations compared to conventional lasers. This results in less treatment time and potentially reduces pain for the infant. This also helps to better preserve retinal sensitivity. These features are especially important when treating the delicate eyes of premature infants.

What were the specific parameters used in the pattern scan laser treatment for the infant in the described case?

In the case study, the pattern scan laser treatment involved specific parameters. These included an irradiation time of 20–30 ms, laser power between 300–350 mW, a spot size of 200 µm, and a spacing of 100 µm. A total of 2,999 laser shots were applied using the PASCAL® Streamline system. The laser photocoagulation was performed under general anesthesia, with the infant receiving fentanyl citrate for pain management.

What were the outcomes of the pattern scan laser treatment in the case presented, and what limitations were there?

The results of the pattern scan laser treatment were initially promising. Within two weeks, fibrovascular proliferation began to regress, and scarring from the laser spots became evident, indicating the effectiveness of the treatment in managing ROP. However, the infant passed away at a corrected gestational age of 3 months due to complications from pulmonary hypertension and chronic lung disease. This means that long-term outcomes of the eye treatment couldn't be assessed. Despite this, the initial success demonstrated the potential of the PASCAL® Streamline system in treating ROP.

What does the future hold for the use of pattern scan laser treatment in managing ROP?

The case demonstrates the potential of pattern scan laser treatment as a viable option for managing ROP. While long-term outcomes weren't possible in this particular case, the initial success suggests that this technique could offer significant benefits, including reduced treatment time and potentially less pain for infants. Further research, including larger randomized clinical studies, is essential to fully evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of this innovative approach. Pattern scan laser treatment holds promise for improving outcomes and quality of life for premature infants at risk of ROP.