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Presentation type	Oral presentation
Title	Intravitreal aflibercept and laser therapy in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity; retrospective cohort study over 2,5 years

Purpose	Evaluating intravitreal aflibercept and diode laser therapy for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
Methods	Retrospective observational cohort study. All preterms in the Antwerp University Hospital screened for ROP between January 2023 and June 2025 with >24 weeks of follow-up after treatment were included. Type 1 ROP was treated with aflibercept 40mg/mL and/or laser therapy; retreatment was with either aflibercept or laser therapy, according to ROP guidelines. (Re-)treatment incidence, timing, modality, complications, ROP zone and stage, and presence or absence of (pre-)plus disease were evaluated.
Results	Of the 282 included eyes, 103 showed ROP, 78 regressed spontaneously and 25 needed treatment (8.9%). The most severe ROP presented at a median postmenstrual age (PMA) of 34+5 weeks. Thirteen eyes received aflibercept, twelve laser therapy; at a mean PMA of 36+4 weeks (±22.1 days) and 37+3 weeks (±13.8 days). Regression occurred in all eyes treated with aflibercept and all except one eye treated with laser after 8.9 (±3.4) and 14.2 (±7.0) days. Four eyes treated with aflibercept needed retreatment with laser and two eyes treated with laser needed retreatment with aflibercept after respectively 68 (±15) and 21 days. Laser therapy was mainly applied for zone II ROP and aflibercept for zone I and posterior zone II ROP. Within 24 weeks, no complications occurred after aflibercept therapy, and two mild complications after laser therapy.
Conclusion	In 69.2%, monotherapy with aflibercept was sufficient until at least 24 weeks after initial treatment. Intravitreal aflibercept seems to be a relevant treatment for ROP especially in the younger preterm with more posterior ROP.
Conflict of interest	No

Authors 1

Last name	DE VETTER
Initials	S
Department	Antwerp University Hospital
City	Antwerp

Authors 2

Last name	Verdonck
Initials	T
Department	Antwerp University Hospital
City	Antwerp

Authors 3

Last name	van Zeeburg
Initials	EJT
Department	Antwerp University Hospital
City	Antwerp